Strikes, Sarkozy and Soil were the highlight of another hectic week in the French city of Strasbourg.
The French president's visit to the European Parliament took over 2 months of intricate planning. The parliament takes visits from Heads of State extremely seriously and with military style efficiency and organisation, which made even the Germans nervous, everyone was prepared to 'welcome' the new leader. You'll have to forgive me but I have to admit I did find the whole charade mildly amusing. It didn't take long for all displays of professionalism and sense of control to be squashed when massive transport strikes were called across the country, protesting no less against the presidents own pension programmes. And then there were the anthems....both of them. The French national anthem was obviously played to honour the guest but then for the first time at this kind of event the European Anthem was played. Yes readers, that's right, the EU has its own anthem. Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Well let's be honest, they couldn't have composed a new piece- can you just imagine the mile long list of amendments, points of order and sheer chaos that would have prevailed had they even attempted such a thing.
The whole week was rather disappointing and I mean more so than normal. Despite great efforts by the Conservative group we were unable to reject a report calling for a common framework for Soil. I think the cold snap that has ever so quickly swept across Europe has affected people's common sense. Last month there were the proposals regarding pesticides and this month, Soil. It may sound strange to some but as a farmer, soil has had great importance in my life and I have come to know how to manage the land in a sustainable and productive way. I recognise its importance not only in the production of food and fuel but as a natural resource and have carried out every action with these good intentions in mind. Europe has failed itself with these proposals by over legislating and under thinking. Let us just hope that our European Leaders will see sense when the report goes to the European Council for agreement.
This week the new Eurostar connections mean that anyone can travel from London to Paris just over 2 hours. The events of this week remind me that despite this we are in many respects we are worlds apart. In his address to the parliament Sarkozy made clear that in his opinion protectionism was key to the development of the EU. I couldn't disagree more. Reform is what is needed. Less not more regulation is essential to ensuring a more open and competitive EU market. This week I spoke on numerous occasions about the issue of globalisation and the need for us all to push further and faster on the deregulation agenda, freeing business and industry to compete on competitive terms against the growing pressures emerging from the likes of China and India. It is time our European partners let go of outdated idealism and get on the right track.
