What's the point of the European Parliament? Equitable Life policyholders, and there are over a million of them in the UK and thousands more across Europe, can point to the committee MEPs set up this week. It will investigate claims by the Equitable Members Action Group that the UK Government broke EU laws in its handling of this scandal. More than 18 months have passed since the UK Parliamentary Ombudsman reopened her investigation and nothing has happened. I hope, through my involvement in the committee, to ensure constituents' questions are answered and to discover whether UK regulators did fail to protect policyholders adequately. Our activities in this area should also rouse our colleagues in Westminster into action.
Earlier this week 6,000 dockworkers attacked the European Parliament with rocks and metal bolts protesting against the Ports Services Directive. Normally people protest to try to change politicians' minds but it has been clear for weeks that this move was going to be rejected by the Parliament because it was a terrible piece of legislation. In the end the proposal was voted down by over 400 votes. Surely it is time to draw a distinction between protesting and vandalism.
Votes and debates on the reform to the Sugar Regime were farcical as the decision was taken by national Governments in November. Both our sugar producers, and those of poor countries who rely on us buying their sugar, have been sold down the river by the Government for no good reason. I voted to reject the current offer which is clearly not in our interests.
Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for our region, was also seen this week arguing for a resurrection of the widely disliked Constitution. In words reminiscent of Dr Frankenstein Mr Duff said, "The constitution is not a corpse, it had a car crash and now requires surgery". It's too late for surgery: the car was already on fire as it hurtled off the cliff of unpopularity.
