Press Release
SIR - Mr. Starr has claimed that MPs have no influence over legislation in the
UK, and that power now solely lies with 'the EU', which has passed 104 new laws
in May alone (June 11th).
Let me set the record straight and dismiss this notion of the 'the EU' as a
single, monolithic entity. Our European Union is governed by four main
institutions: The Commission proposes laws, the European Parliament and the
Council (which is formed by the 27 governments) debate, amend and pass or reject
them. The Court of Justice then rules on any breaches. EU law is only passed
after consensus between our MEPs in the European Parliament and the 27 member
governments represented on the Council.
The European Commission's work programme for 2007 contains a total of 32
legislative acts, ten of which are designed to simplify existing laws. A large
majority of the remainder are Directives, providing a framework for each member
state to legislate individually, with our own MPs fully involved in deciding how
best to implement the principle of the Directive in a way suited to the UK.
Of course, most laws are nothing to do with our EU institutions at all. The last
Queen's speech outlined 29 proposed Bills for this year, all of which will of
course be subject to debates and votes by our MPs in the Westminster Parliament.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
Richard Burt
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate
West Worcestershire
Ash Villa
363 Worcester Road
Malvern
WR14 1AN
Back to
Press Releases