A weak and divided voice – what the coalition means for Britain in Europe

If the Tories follow their instincts, they will try to scupper, or heavily water down, everything in Europe while the Lib Dems would do the opposite: division and weakness beckons.

One of the glaring fault lines in the new coalition is Europe. Few seem to have noticed that just a few years ago Danny Alexander, the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was a press officer for the federalist European Movement and Britain in Europe, preparing the ‘yes’ campaign when Britain was looking like it would join the euro.

The coalition has real implications for Britain’s voice in the European Union. Between 1997-2010, Labour was, with a few exceptions – the row over the working time directive being the most obvious – supported by the fact that its MEPs were a large delegation in one of the largest political groups in the European Parliament. They might not always have been the most popular delegation, but were always influential.

Despite what any Tory might say about their new group, evidence uncovered by Left Foot Forward sees regular examples of how marginalised they are. Having fewer MEPs than the Greens makes them only the fifth largest group in the parliament. For example, on the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee, the big Rapporteurships on macro-economic reform, regulating derivatives and capital requirements directives, were divided up between the EPP, the Socialist group, the ALDE and the Greens.

Following the financial crisis, which exposed the lack of effective regulation of banking, derivatives and various other financial instruments, the ECON committee has a massive legislative workload that has huge implications for the British and eurozone economies – yet Labour MEPs are the only British MEPs with any clout.

Instead, the Tory MEPs Kay Swinburne and Vicky Ford get the reports nobody else is bothered about and their amendments rarely get supported. The EPP co-ordinator on ECON, Jean-Paul Gauzes, would rather see a legislative report go to the Greens than the Tories.

The second question is, how they will vote? What will happen when the vote on CRD 3 takes place in two weeks – legislation which focuses on limiting bankers’ bonuses? Or when votes on derivatives or naked short-selling take place?

If the Tories follow their instincts, they will try to scupper, or heavily water down, everything. If the Lib Dems stick to the mantra of their ‘banker basher’ in chief, and now business secretary, Vince Cable, then they would vote the opposite way. We will soon find out which it is to be. Either way, division and weakness beckons.

11 Responses to “A weak and divided voice – what the coalition means for Britain in Europe”

  1. House Of Twits

    RT @leftfootfwd A weak and divided voice – what the coalition means for Britain in Europe: http://bit.ly/cYCfUr

  2. Malcolm Evison

    RT @leftfootfwd: A weak and divided voice – what the coalition means for Britain in Europe http://bit.ly/cYCfUr

  3. Hitchin England

    A weak and divided voice – what the coalition means for Britain in Europe: http://bit.ly/cYCfUr via @leftfootfwd

  4. Anon E Mouse

    Ben Fox – I’m not surprised you’re writing in a personal capacity – no one would sign off for this 100% speculative nonsense.

    You link to an article on this site by a LFF regular contributor as “evidence” for your position, yet as any reader to this fine blog will tell you that particular writer seems obsessed by race and colour – he just seems unable to get away from it.

    If at a world chess championship Gary Kasparov said he’d play the black pieces that author jump up and down screeching hysterically; “Racist chess player unmasked” and I feel without any evidence whatsoever to support your position I really think this article, although a well written work of fiction, is really a waste of internet bandwidth.

    In fact this work is so sloppy you didn’t even bother to read the comments on your link regarding the parties Labour and the Lib Dems aligned themselves with in Europe. Let’s see how you answer these few Labour partners Ben:

    1. Proinsias De Rossa MEP (Ireland)
    2. Democratic Society Party (Turkey) You’ll know these from your own employer
    3. Andrzej Lepper And him…
    4. Giulietto Chiesa MEP (Italy) And him…

    This blog tends to attract articles that usually are enjoyable to read but can I please make a general plea to whoever moderates this site. Can we please stop these “this might happen” – “what if that happens” – “just imagine if this happens” groupthink drivel about the new government.

    The fact is they are fresh and offer a way of doing politics that is genuinely new and revolutionary to the people I know – witness the difference between Cameron in Cumbria meeting those connected with the murders and Alun Johnsons kneejerk Labour response to it. That speaks volumes…

    If this site and the other left leaning sites remain locked in the past with this style of article they will spend a LONG time in opposition…

  5. NormalBloke

    What a great site it is – it reminds everyone not to vote for Labour. At a time when the EU is in turmoil – and that is the gentlist tem that could be used to describe it we’re being told we’re marginalised – thank GOD – ask the German tax payers about their view of the EU right now as they find out they bail out sloppy socialist overspending underworking economies. When will the left wing eurosceptics stand up and shout for democracy and freedom!!!

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