Graham's blog Friday 8 May 2009 (Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats)

Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats <hdalziel@cix.co.uk>

Graham's blog Friday 8 May 2009

May 8, 2009 10:00 AM
Originally published by Sir Graham Watson MEP

The vote by Czech Senators on Wednesday to approve the Lisbon Treaty, thus completing its parliamentary ratification process in the Czech Republic, was widely welcomed by MEPs in the final week of this Parliament's term in Strasbourg. The EU has spent far too much time gazing at its own navel over its treaty arrangements, but if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force it will make the EU more democratic and much more efficient. Of course, Ireland still needs to ratify it; a second referendum is foreseen for October. And the famously euro-sceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus still has to sign the document. My quip that he should sign it in blood was widely reported in the Czech media.

As the House rises today my thoughts turn completely to the European election campaign which Nick Clegg will come to Bristol to launch on Monday. I still need volunteers to come out leafletting in my campaign bus over the next 24 days, and I still desperately need to raise money to pay for the campaign. If you can help with either please let me know at euro_office@cix.co.uk (or send a cheque payable to South West England Liberal Democrats to Bagehot's Foundry, Beard's Yard, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PS).

Among the business we despatched this week in our final votes was a call for a ban on the trade in seal products; a vote to better regulate scientific experimentation on animals (I was very unhappy that one of our Conservative MEPs, Neil Parish, allowed the tough but workable proposals of the European Commission to be watered down by the animal experimentation lobby and so I voted against the measure); and a refusal to allow governments to cut off internet access to their citizens without judicial approval (unless public security is under serious threat). We also voted to approve EUR 5 billion for green technology projects (see previous newsletters).

My week was full of TV debates with the leaders of the other parties in Parliament: French, Polish, Austrian and Swedish TV had Question Time type programmes devoted to the European elections and other broadcasters interviewed us individually about our respective manifestos. Sadly but predictable the BBC's coverage is sparse and restricted mainly to the channels it broadcasts outside the UK.

Beyond Parliament, our heads of state and government met the leaders of the former soviet countries in south east Europe at a summit in Prague. The Russians perceive this as an attempt by the EU to 'interfere' in their sphere of influence. The tone of recent preparatory meetings in advance of the EU-Russia summit on 21 May suggest relations will remain frosty.

I was pleased to welcome Devon County Council leader Brian Greenslade to Strasbourg this week. Brian is a leading light on the Assembly of European Regions and between us we represented the Lib Dem position in a debate on the EU's regional policy.

This afternoon I chair a world wide video conference to launch an Index of Democracy prepared by the World Future Council. Participants will include parliamentarians from London, San Francisco, Delhi and Johannesburg. My hope is that we can shame the less democratic countries into greater respect for democratic practices. But with our own European election campaign unlikely to persuade more than 4 voters in 10 to go to the polls, questions must be asked about democracy. I learned this week that the average age of MEPs as Parliament rises is 54.8 years. At only just 53, I'm still young enough to be a rebel.