The summer weather has arrived early this year-prefect timing for the local elections back in the UK. Visiting the constituency and following the various campaigns in the region has been very interesting and a great opportunity to engage with the voters hearing first hand their views. The main points being raised so far are health, crime, and pension security. Interestingly, these were just some of the many issues being voted on this week in Strasbourg. EU diversity was at its most apparent with reports on financial services, HIV/AIDS prevention and tackling the problem of counterfeit goods all up for discussion. It is refreshing to see a level of correlation between the concerns of the electorate and the agenda of the EU institutions. Well it had to happen sometime!
What is also encouraging is that despite the governments' announcement that it won't be allowing the British people the right to vote on the EU constitution, or even be holding discussions in public, people continue to make their views known. I saw the perfect example this week of an individual's determination to exercise his democratic rights when I saw a man campaigning in the streets, barefoot and shirtless. Now seeing someone chasing prospective voters down the street may paint an amusing picture but you have to at the very least applaud his enthusiasm!
I flew into Stansted very late on Tuesday night and despite wanting to just get home and relax I had to queue for half an hour to get through immigration. When I finally did make my way through I was stopped by a customs official who thought my passport was a forgery. I had to stand around while it was checked, firstly by him, and then by his superior. The reason for this suspicion was that the ink had run on the passport because it had been rained upon. The officious attitude of the customs officers did little to instil confidence in our ways of dealing with concerns over illegal immigration. This is the first time I've been thought to be an illegal immigrant in the thousands of times I've travelled through British customs. Perhaps BAA being taken over by a Spanish company hasn't helped! I think that we need to change the attitude and approach of our customs officials and put more support into regional British Airports rather than an extension of Stansted which obviously cannot cope with its current passenger flow!
On a more serious and sad note- last week Mike Blacker, a valued member of the NFU and a dear friend, passed away at the age of 65. Mike, who was Chairman of the NFU Sugar Beet committee fought vehemently for UK growers for over 20 years. One of my fondest memories of Mike was when in 2005 he led a demonstration in Brussels representing sugar beet growers from across the United Kingdom.. The loss of this great man will be felt throughout the agri-community and I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and to all those who had the good fortune of knowing him.
Finally, I would like to wish all the candidates the best of luck in the upcoming local elections.
