Base the European Parliament in Brussels - always

5.55.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Jun 2006

European Parliament should have its full-time base in Brussels

It costs European taxpayers approximately 200 million euros a year to move the Parliament between Brussels and Strasbourg every month. The Liberal Democrats are campaigning to stop this waste of time and money. A new cross-party campaign has been launched to end this monthly trek.

Chelmsford's Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff is working with Richard Corbett (Labour) and Edward McMillan-Scott (Conservative) to endorse the campaign, which gives the public a chance to have their say. The aim of the campaign is to gather one million signatures on a petition addressed to EU leaders.

Said Stephen Robinson (West Chelmsford Lib Dem candidate 2005), "I have signed this petition; I hope you will, and tell your friends. When the EU was just six member states this was less of an issue. It was also a statement of unity between those nations. These reasons are now outweighed by sheer practicality if nothing else.

"We are nearly half way to the one million target. You can sign up at a special website (link below)."

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Background information by Andrew Duff MEP - www.andrewduffmep.org

The obligation on the European Parliament to sit in Strasbourg twelve times a year is enshrined in the EU Treaties. Only a unanimous decision of the heads of government, followed by national ratification, can give Parliament discretion as to where it should meet.

The visits to Strasbourg cost the Parliament E200 million a year. To make savings, the French authorities have suggested that MEPs should leave Brussels behind and settle entirely in Strasbourg. But this would cut MEPs off from the other institutions with which daily contact in indispensable, as well as the media, diplomats, lobbyists and NGOs. Besides, Strasbourg is too small for a pan-continental parliament, with bad air and rail links.

We propose that, in exchange for the loss of the Parliament, Strasbourg hosts the equally prestigious, but smaller and less frequent summit meetings of the European Council. The heads of government would be paying the homage they clearly feel to be due to Strasbourg as the symbol of Franco-German reconciliation. And the city would also remain the home of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.

The on-line petition is gathering strength across the Union. Please sign up now.

Related Links:

Sign the petition here.

More information about European reform.