Fighting for fair representation in Brussels

Local Conservatives are fighting plans to cut Burton and Uttoxeters MEPs.

Staffordshire County Council Conservative Group Leader Philip Atkins said, “Earlier last year the Government announced formally that overall UK MEP numbers would reduce by six from 78 in 2004 to 72 in 2009 to take account of EU enlargement. The reductions would be spread across six regions, and the West Midlands would reduce from the current seven to six MEPs as part of this process. However, as one strange side-effect of the new EU Reform Treaty currently being debated at Westminster, UK MEP numbers would only reduce to 73, which means one additional seat would be available. Statistically the extra seat should come to the West Midlands, who would otherwise have the largest number of constituents per MEP of any region of the UK.”

Speaking from Brussels ahead of the vote, Conservative MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews commented, “I have no vested interest in the West Midlands, given I do not propose to stand again. But the whole point is that Gordon Brown has a vested interest in Scotland, and there are strong rumours that the Prime Minister may award the extra seat to Scotland in order to try and shore up his crumbling support there. This cannot be allowed to happen.”

Councillor Atkins added, “This is not just a matter of how many MEPs we have. It is about standing up for local democracy in general, and standing up for the regions against the dictates of Downing Street in particular. That is why we have tabled this Resolution, and that is why we are hoping that Councillors from all political parties will sign up to our Resolution so that we can send the strongest possible message to London.”