Letter to my MP

Dear Sir Tony,

Correcting the democratic deficit.

Clearly today the UK Parliament is for many new laws just a rubber stamp. I have heard a figure of 75% of new laws are in fact EU Directives that we are obliged to enact... and that we in general do it on an "over-kill" basis.

This has steadily weakened the power of politicians. And now they reacting to this by a revolt against the EU. Kind of "rat in a corner" gut reaction?

The EU democratic arrangements are far, far from ideal. With too much power in the hands of un-elected officials, and decisions (or rubber stamps) made by a few people from 27 countries in the Council of Ministers. Recently the EU Parliament has gained more powers and has started to exercise them, but without sensible representation for UK people and parliament and a grouping of parties, this is still rather chaotic.

One of the fundamental things which the UK public feels strongly about is its representation in the EU, and to get its voice heard, and for EU decisions to be made clear - there is a great deal of misunderstanding of EU legislation. This has come about by two things: separate elections for UK and EU parliaments, with poor turnouts for MEPs; and poor press/TV reporting of the business in the Commission, Council of Ministers and EU Parliament. Whereas, for example, we have a TV channel "BBC Parliament" running continuously showing live coverage of the UK Parliament, we do not have any pan-EU TV channel for the EU Parliament.

So what can be done? I suggest we need much closer ties between UK politicians and MEPs. In fact I believe they should be one and the same! We elect 630 people (or 600 or whatever) but then send on a rotating basis the required number to the EU Parliament, say in 6-12 month periods. With frequent reporting back to the UK - by video links to cut costs...

This may have many objections, but it would mean the the people we elect for UK have power both in UK and the EU.

We also need improved official communication channels for publicising and daily informing us of EU activities.

Any thoughts? Are your views Euro-sceptic or, like mine, very supportive of stronger EU links?

Regards

Antony Watts Banbury