This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/21/democratic-deficit-begins-at-home
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Democratic deficit begins at home | Democratic deficit begins at home |
| (7 days later) | |
| Deborah Orr's analysis of the Tories' obsession with devolving powers from Brussels while at the same time resisting the release of powers from Westminster (18 May) highlights the many ways in which the Tory party's Europe obsession seems to eclipse all logic. But she was wrong about the role of the European parliament and the democratic deficit in the EU. It's true that EU legislation needs to have the support of both MEPs and national governments, but to accuse the parliament of simply rubber-stamping what heads of state have agreed does a disservice to our scrutiny of legislation. | Deborah Orr's analysis of the Tories' obsession with devolving powers from Brussels while at the same time resisting the release of powers from Westminster (18 May) highlights the many ways in which the Tory party's Europe obsession seems to eclipse all logic. But she was wrong about the role of the European parliament and the democratic deficit in the EU. It's true that EU legislation needs to have the support of both MEPs and national governments, but to accuse the parliament of simply rubber-stamping what heads of state have agreed does a disservice to our scrutiny of legislation. |
| Despite the centre-left being in opposition in all three main EU institutions, we have led the way in improving EU legislation – often making draft laws better for consumers and tougher on irresponsible financial activities in an effort to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 economic crisis. The European parliament is far from perfect, but it is still the body that is most effective in standing up for the interests of citizens in a centre-right-dominated EU. | Despite the centre-left being in opposition in all three main EU institutions, we have led the way in improving EU legislation – often making draft laws better for consumers and tougher on irresponsible financial activities in an effort to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 economic crisis. The European parliament is far from perfect, but it is still the body that is most effective in standing up for the interests of citizens in a centre-right-dominated EU. |
| We do our best to hold the council of ministers to account, but a major part of the democratic deficit can be found in the way that national parliaments hold their ministers to account for their actions in Brussels. In Westminster we allow governments to get away too often with the cliched arguments of "we won the good stuff, but Brussels is imposing the bits we don't like" – something of which all parties, including my own, have been guilty when in government. It may be a narrative that suits EU-obsessed backbenchers and media, but surely the mother of parliaments can do better than that? Glenis Willmott MEP Labour leader, European parliament | We do our best to hold the council of ministers to account, but a major part of the democratic deficit can be found in the way that national parliaments hold their ministers to account for their actions in Brussels. In Westminster we allow governments to get away too often with the cliched arguments of "we won the good stuff, but Brussels is imposing the bits we don't like" – something of which all parties, including my own, have been guilty when in government. It may be a narrative that suits EU-obsessed backbenchers and media, but surely the mother of parliaments can do better than that? Glenis Willmott MEP Labour leader, European parliament |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday. |