Bill Newton Dunn our MEP has emailed in his report for work carried out in the European Parliament. As any of us may not be aware of what our MEP’s do, you might like to read on.
Just to let you know that the European Parliament stops work at the end of this week. It will re-meet in Brussels on Monday 30th August. I expect to remain in the UK – so, if needed, can be reached at bill.newtondunn@europarl.europa.eu
The parliament’s work for the past six months has principally been about putting into effect the Lisbon Treaty (which came into effect in December).
In February, the new team of Commissioners took office. One of them, Baroness Ashton, was appointed High Representative for Foreign Affairs and has set about vigorously setting up the new “EU External Action Service” with EU embassies in most capitals of the world, to be staffed half by Commission officials, half by seconded national officials.
In March, MEPs threw out the “SWIFT” treaty. This had been agreed by the 27 national governments – whereby they would hand over to the US government access to all Europeans’ bank accounts – without any reciprocal arrangement for us to see into American bank accounts. MEPs shocked the governments and Washington by using new Lisbon powers to reject international treaties. “SWIFT” has been renegotiated, with much stronger safeguards for Europeans, and MEPs passed it last week.
The economic crisis continues. As always, Europe moves forward after a crisis, and this will result in stronger economic powers for Brussels. Britain – with its huge budget deficit – is in no position to gloat.
Have a good summer !Bill
PARWICH.ORG 
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