Andrew Duff MEP News Stories (Broadland Liberal Democrats)

May 8, 2013:
- 'Critical Year to save the European Union'
  Big decisions have to be taken in the next twelve months if the European Union is to be saved. This is the message from UEF president Andrew Duff MEP to mark Schuman Day, 9 May. "The post-war project of European unification is under attack. Nationalist forces are rising again across Europe as the response of the current leadership to the deep economic crisis proves to be inadequate. So here is a seven-point programme with big things that, taken together, will reverse the trend to disunity:- 1. Rigid austerity has to be modified by ambitious EU and national programmes to grow the economy. This is as much the case for Germany as for the poorer EU states. Fiscal consolidation will only work in the context of a rise in business investment and the creation of more jobs. 2. Progress must be made towards supplementing fiscal discipline with long-term fiscal solidarity. This requires determined political moves towards a progressive mutualisation of sovereign debt. 3. Fast progress is needed on EU trade agreements, not least with the USA and India. 4. The December European Council must take real steps towards building a common European security and defence policy, adding a fresh dimension to European integration. 5. Serious preparations must be made for the commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War which will be meaningful to European citizens of all generations. 6. The European Commission must present comprehensive proposals, based on fiscal union, for the next round of treaty change, surely destined to begin in 2015. 7. Europe's political parties, led by candidates for the Commission presidency, must shoulder responsibility for the destiny of the EU. The European Parliamentary elections next May must be the occasion of a real political debate with a truly European dimension. In this context, the federalist movement looks forward to the imminent publication of its new Fundamental Law of the European Union." END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 12, 2013:
- Andrew Duff welcomes Commission statement on European Parliamentary elections
  Following the Commission's recommendations of today concerning the European elections in 2014, Andrew Duff (ALDE/UK) said: "The Commission is right to back Parliament's call for the political parties to nominate their candidates for the next presidency of the Commission. The arrival of party political champions on the scene will dramatise the European Parliamentary election campaign across Europe, and offer the voters a real choice between competing policies and personalities. "It would also be a useful innovation if the logos and names of the European political parties could appear on the ballot papers." END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 19, 2013:
- 2014 European Parliament seat distribution
  The vote of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament supported efforts by ALDE MEPs aimed at correcting the worst anomaly in the original proposal of the two rapporteurs (Trzaskowski-Gualtieri) on the apportionment of seats at the next elections in 2014. The Liberals and Democrats argued that to have a two seat gap between Hungary and Sweden on the basis of a difference of population of 475,000 was unjust. Andrew Duff's proposal that at the next constitutional Convention, likely in 2015, the EU should agree on a fair, durable and transparent arithmetical formula for the distribution of seats was also accepted. Commenting, Mr Duff said: "This is the first time, thanks to the Lisbon treaty, that Parliament has had to initiate a decision as to its own composition. The proposal is pragmatic and as fair as can be in the circumstances. "The Council will be unable to improve on this deal. We should finalise the agreement in as short a time as possible to allow states to prepare for these important elections." Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 6, 2013:
- Duff: MEPs vote for all vehicles to make noise whilst protecting the East of England specialist carmakers
  MEPs today backed a Liberal group proposal for mandatory introduction of 'acoustic vehicle alerting systems' (AVAS) in quiet vehicles such as electric and hybrid cars, to protect vulnerable road users. Road safety groups and organisations for partially sighted and blind people such as the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association had called for these acoustic warning devices in order to avoid increased accident risks. In legislating for much stricter levels of sound emissions from both tyres and engines, the European Parliament has also recognised the special needs of the regional sports car industry of firms like Lotus of Norwich and Radical Sports cars in Peterborough in having higher than average noise levels in their premium sports cars. Research from the United States indicates that very quiet vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident as vehicles fitted with an internal combustion engine - most typically when the vehicle is slowing or stopping, moving in reverse or entering or exiting a parking space. Lib Dem MEP for the East of England Andrew Duff commented: "Many of the East of England's busy roads can be difficult to navigate for visually impaired road users. Quiet cars are to be welcomed, but not if they are so quiet that safety is put at risk." "The sound of a braking car can provide a signal to a blind or partially sighted person that it is safe to cross, but if this is too quiet on an electric car, AVAS can solve this problem by providing a warning." "Silent vehicles are not only an issue for blind and partially sighted people but also for children and other vulnerable road users. That's why Liberal Democrats voted in favour of mandatory acoustic warning devices in silent cars today." ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Liberals support a better future for the fishing industry
  A significant step was taken by the European Parliament today to reform the Common Fisheries Policy. These reforms will set legally binding measures to end discards and overfishing and rebuild Europe's fish stocks. This move was welcomed by Liberal MEPs as the fishing industry faces not only an ecological disaster but also an economic and social one. Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for the East of England, said "I am pleased with the decisions taken today. The fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors create and maintain jobs in rural and coastal communities along the coast of the East of England from Kings Lynn to Southend, where there is often no source of alternative employment. In the last 10 years many jobs have been lost from the sector in the East of England We have a collective duty to these communities to ensure a long term future based on clear environmental, economic and social principles." He also welcomed the decision to move the day to day management of multi-annual plans to regional authorities, "A move to regional management structures would create many positive benefits including increased responsibility on local communities and the establishment of a Common Fisheries Policy more sensitive to local concerns in places like Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Burnham-on-Crouch." Mr Duff also welcomed the ban on discards and supports the measures introduced to rebuild the fish stocks. "Two thirds of European fish stocks are overfished today. This reform will end the unacceptable practice of throwing millions of tonnes of perfectly good fish back into the sea and will allow our fish stocks to recover based on advice from both scientists and fishermen. The historic vote today will help to make fishing more profitable again, provide a livelihood for fishermen and most importantly - ensure that there will be more fish in our seas." Ends Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 23, 2013:
- Le Royaume-Uni doit faire le choix de l'Europe fédérale
  A l'occasion d'une déclaration ce matin en réaction au discours du Premier ministre anglais, l'eurodéputé Andrew Duff déclare: "Qu'il y aura un referendum au Royaume-Uni n'est une surprise pour personne. Depuis 2011 les referenda ont été inscrits au cœur de la fragile Constitution britannique. "Le calendrier n'est pas non plus une surprise. La Convention constitutionnelle visant à modifier les traités ne pourra débuter avant le printemps 2015. Cette Convention sera suivie par une conférence intergouvernementale, elle même suivie par les différents processus de ratifications à travers l'Union. A cette occasion, plusieurs Etats membres auront à organiser la tenue de referenda et, In fine, tous doivent tomber d'accord. "Ce qui est important c'est la nature du paquet de réformes qui sera discuté lors de ces négociations. La question britannique ne sera qu'une part relativement infime de cette grande discussion sur l'avenir de l'UE. "Le but principal de la Convention sera l'établissement d'un gouvernement économique fédéral pour une Union plus intégrée et solidaire. C'est sur ce traité fédéral que les anglais auront à se prononcer, pas sur l'UE telle qu'elle est aujourd'hui. "L'UE qui émergera de la crise sera bien plus intégrée que ce qu'elle est en l'état. Ceci est une chance pour les partis anglais de s'afficher en faveur d'une Europe plus unie et plus démocratique, une Europe en mesure d'assurer stabilité et prospérité sur le continent et une Europe en mesure d'assoir son autorité au niveau mondiale afin de promouvoir la paix et la justice. "M. Cameron va devoir apprendre comment l'UE marche. En particulier, s'il veut retoucher certaine lois de l'UE en vigueur, il va falloir qu'il s'attire la sympathie des eurodéputés. Or, jusqu'à présent son attitude à l'égard des députés européens a été méprisante et dédaigneuse. "Enfin, le Premier ministre se berce d'illusions s'il pense qu'un referendum enterra le débat sur l'Europe pour toujours. Cela n'arrivera pas." FIN Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Choice for Britain is Federal Europe
  In a statement today reacting to the British prime minister's speech, Andrew Duff MEP said:- "That there will be a referendum in Britain is hardly a surprise. Since 2011, EU referendums have been entrenched in Britain's fragile constitution. "Nor is the timetable new. The constitutional Convention cannot start until spring 2015. The Convention will be followed by an intergovernmental conference. Then national ratification procedures will start across the EU. Several countries will have a referendum. All have to agree. "What matters is the nature of the package deal to be reached in those negotiations. The British problem will only form relatively minor part of that negotiation. "The primary purpose of the Convention will be to install a federal economic government of a fiscal union. It is that federal treaty on which the UK people will be asked to vote ‑ not the current state of play. "The EU which comes out of the present crisis will be very much more integrated than it is now. This gives British political parties a chance to come out in favour of a strong united democratic Europe providing stability and prosperity at home and leadership for peace and justice in world affairs. "Mr Cameron will now have to learn how the European Union works. In particular, if he wants to recast existing EU laws he needs to win the support of MEPs. So far his attitude to the European Parliament has been marked more by contempt than by respect. "Lastly, the prime minister is also deeply deluded if he thinks that a referendum will settle the European debate for all time. It won't." END Andrew Duff MEP (Lib Dem/UK) is President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). He co-chairs the Spinelli Federalist Intergroup in the European Parliament. Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 14, 2012:
- Heads of Government Suffer Exhaustion - Andrew Duff
  Commenting on the results of the European Council of 13-14 December, Andrew Duff MEP said:- "After several years of hectic crisis management, the heads of government appear to have the stuffing knocked out of them. On banking union, our crisis weary leaders have just managed to agree their position for the legislative negotiations with the European Parliament. They also admit that the single supervisory mechanism now needs a properly funded resolution mechanism if it is to be genuinely effective at sorting out Europe's bust and lawless banks. "In taking these decisions the European Council follows the lead given by the European Parliament. They also agree yet another but more protracted 'time-bound road map' - presumably liable to further delay according to the results of the German elections. "On the negative side, however, this summit has accepted neither Mr Barroso's blueprint for fiscal union nor even Mr Van Rompuy's bid to increase the EU's fiscal capacity. One wonders how these two gentlemen will enjoy Christmas. "What has entirely disappeared from the European Council is the notion of a reflection on federal economic government to run things after fiscal integration has eventually been deepened. This is a huge mistake for the prime ministers to make because it will leave them and their national parliaments wholly unprepared to develop the constitution of the European Union in a democratic and efficient manner. "So it falls to the European Parliament to fill the gap and, in advance of the May 2014 elections, to provoke a debate about political union. Federalist MEPs, in particular, now have a duty to spell out the treaty changes which they want to form the agenda of the Convention which will begin in February 2015." END Andrew Duff MEP is President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) @Andrew_Duff_MEP Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 12, 2012:
- Making airports work for you
  Today the European Parliament gave its green light to new regulations governing the allocation of slots and the levels of noise at EU airports. The reforms are intended to decrease passenger delays whilst protecting people living in flight corridors. Commenting on the proposed airport package, Andrew DUFF, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for the East of England, said: "A revision of the current system of slot allocation is a pragmatic move to maximise the usage of existing airports so that the need for new runways in the region will be reduced. "Parliament has also taken action to phase out the noisiest aircraft and to clarify the rules which regulate airport noise pollution." ENDS. Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- 12.12.12: Time to Decide! Time for a Constituent Convention for a European Federation
  The meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 13-14 December 2012 will face difficult decisions on the launch of a banking union and a blueprint for a fiscal and political union to strengthen the Eurozone. On the day preceding the summit, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) are carrying out a campaign-day cross Europe with the common slogan "12.12.12: TIME TO DECIDE, TIME FOR A EUROPEAN FEDERATION!" "After four years of Euro-crisis and countless meetings of the European Heads of State and Government, it is high time to take long-term structural decisions, before growing social discontent and Euro-skepticisms across Europe will make it impossible for Europe to progress further. We need to bring together the plans for a banking, fiscal, economic and political union. We need a precise roadmap to a Convention to prepare a new constitutional pact that reshapes the Euro-zone and the other countries willing to join such a project into a democratic federation while allowing forms of looser integration for those countries who don't intend to join the Euro" declares Pauline Gessant, President of the Young European Federalists (JEF). Andrew Duff, MEP, President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) declares: "We welcome the proposals of Mr van Rompuy for strengthening the European monetary union by providing it with a fiscal capacity and effective and democratic decision-making. A serious fiscal union requires not only stringent controls on national budgets, but also a robust power to tax and spend at European level to promote growth and support member states when in difficulty. The power to control national budgets and to tax European citizens and corporations requires European democracy. The scale of such challenges requires a European public debate and the involvement of the representatives of the European citizens. Only a Convention can achieve that." END EDITOR'S NOTE The Union of European Federalists (UEF), is a supranational political movement founded in 1947 dedicated to uniting Europe along federal lines. Andrew Duff MEP, is UEF President since 2008. He represented the European Parliament at the Lisbon Intergovernmental Conference. Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 11, 2012:
- European patent will boost UK businesses
  Liberal Democrat MEPs have warmly welcomed today's green light for the long-awaited deal on a unitary European Patent. The European Parliament has voted to accept a hard-fought compromise package which has taken nearly forty years to negotiate. Two states, Spain and Italy, have declined to take part on the grounds that their languages are not included in the patent filing process. Andrew Duff MEP, who represents the important cluster of science research in the East of England, commented: "Today sees a huge break-through for European innovation and competitiveness. The final agreement on a unitary patent will greatly reduce red tape and costs for businesses across Europe. "The judicial system is complicated by the fact that two states have not joined in on the grounds of linguistic envy. But the ultimate authority of the European Court of Justice is assured, and we can expect the gradual growth of case-law which will build confidence in the unitary system. "Those who fear that software developments will now be clobbered by excessive patenting by large firms can be reassured: software remains within the realm of copyright law. "It is remarkable that British Green and UKIP MEPs have united in their opposition to this new EU patent system. One can only speculate as to what solution they have to the current fractured state of European intellectual property." Lib Dem MEP for London, Sarah Ludford, added: "Finally, following almost 40 years of negotiations a single EU patent has arrived. This is a really important historic achievement - though none too soon - that will reduce costs by up to 80%, improving the competitive position of UK businesses in relation to the US and Japan, where patents are substantially cheaper." "The fact that the 'Life Sciences' section of the future EU patent court will be located in London is a great tribute to the capital's leadership in chemical and medical research. The new law will make EU-wide patents easier and cheaper to obtain for eventual commercial application arising from work in this field. This is great news for the Francis Crick Institute, currently being built at St Pancras, bringing together several research institutes to form be the largest biomedical research laboratory in Europe when it opens in 2015." ENDS Editors' Note: At present, patents have to be registered in each European country separately. In future, an applicant will now be able to register a unitary patent in any EU language and the request will be processed by the European Patent Office in English, French or German. Automatic translation services will be accessible free of charge in all EU languages in order to keep costs down for SMEs, universities, research organisations and ordinary citizens. The European Patent Court will be split in three locations with Paris as the administrative centre, Munich as the centre for mechanical engineering and London as the hub for chemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Nov 29, 2012:
- Andrew Duff calls for urgent clarification of Barroso Blueprint
  In a statement today (Thursday) reacting to the publication of the Commission's Blueprint for a Deep and Genuine EMU, UEF President Andrew DUFF said: "I strongly welcome the fact that President Barroso has spelled out his thinking in advance of the December European Council. He is right to insist on rapid completion both of the two pack laws and the setting up of the single supervisory mechanism for Europe's banking sector. "It is also good that the Commission has resurrected key elements of the banking and fiscal union which were in danger of being submerged by the antipathy of certain member states - the redemption fund, euro T-bills, the resolution mechanism and fund. The pooled deposit guarantee fund also needs its firm place on the Commission's agenda. "However, in respect of treaty change I am not alone in being confused about the Commission's intentions. Mr Barroso appeared to be talking about two separate treaty revision exercises, which is surely a luxury Europe cannot afford. "And the two phase timetable of 18 months and five years is distinctly odd. In 18 months both Parliament and Commission will close down for re-election. And if we have not already established a federal economic government for a fiscal union in five years time, the euro will be dead. I am writing to President Barroso to seek further clarification on this matter, as well as to offer him and his colleagues the collaboration of the European federalist movement in bringing his blueprint to fruition." END Andrew Duff MEP is President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) @Andrew_Duff_MEP Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Nov 23, 2012:
- Andrew Duff urges Cameron to Save EU Funding for popular EU Project In East Of England: 'False Economy'
  Speaking in Brussels today (Friday), Andrew DUFF, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East of England has appealed to Prime Minister David Cameron not to single out the 'EU Connects' programme for savage cuts. "EU Connects is proving to be highly popular in our region. Local economic partnerships (LEPs), universities, local government and the voluntary sector are all taking full advantage of the funding available from the EU to assist with capacity building and project development for much larger application for EU grants and loans. The EU is complex and looks even more complicated than it really is. EU Connects helps people to fully exploit the advantages of EU membership and to improve the region's previously poor take-up of EU funds. "Given that the EU Connects spending of only £250,000 is at present over-subscribed in the East of England, all its MEPs and MPs should speak up to stop the prime minister making savage cuts to this strategically key programme in particular. "To date, EU Connects has prepared bids for EU funding of over € 2.8 million. Bids of € 726,000 have so far been approved - and several more significant bids are pending. Life-long learning and vocational training are particular favourites, as well as projects in public health and wildlife conservation. "Mr Cameron should know that cutting EU Connects is an entirely false economy." Speaking more generally about the controversial EU budget talks, Andrew DUFF added: "The UK government is coming across as being penny-pinching, failing to understand that spending at the EU level brings huge benefits in terms of cost efficiencies and economies of scale, as well as being critical in Europe's common effort to deepen the single market at this time of deep financial instability and economic recession. "Liberal Democrats are determined that Britain should finally make up its mind to stay in the European Union and to work to make a real success of our membership. Those who toy with leaving should say where they want us to go." END Andrew Duff is the spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament. @Andrew-Duff-MEP www.andrewduff.eu Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Nov 22, 2012:
- European elections should determine make-up of next European Commission
  European political parties should nominate candidates for the position of Commission President according to a resolution adopted today by the European Parliament by a margin of 316 to 90 votes. The aim is to enliven interest in the next European election campaign by giving voters a concrete stake in the outcome which will not only elect Members of Parliament but determine the head of the EU executive. Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader, said : "Given falling turnout in successive European elections and spreading euro-scepticism it is essential that the legitimacy of the Parliament is strengthened by higher voter participation. It is natural that there should be a connection between how people vote and the person who heads the EU executive. " Andrew Duff (Lib Dem, UK), ALDE spokesperson on the committee of constitutional affairs added: "The nomination of party champions as candidates for the Commission Presidency, as well as the drawing of members of the college from the Parliament, follows the logic of the Lisbon Treaty - whereby Parliament will elect Mr Barroso's successor." "Success will be measured in how the personalisation and dramatisation of the election campaign captures the public imagination: fuelling debate about serious issues in front of the next Parliament such as the character of the Commission, the pace and depth of integration, the size and shape of the budget, and the size, indeed, of Union membership." "Parliament has backed my proposal to advance the date of the next European elections from June to May which will enable the newly elected MEPs to fully scrutinise and vote on the candidates nominated for Commission President before the summer recess so that the approval process does not drag on for 6 months or more, like last time, delaying the ability of the new Commission to get to work." Parliament also backed a call to ensure that gender balance is achieved in the college of commissioners by approving an ALDE amendment calling for each MemberState to present both a male and a female candidate for consideration as commissioner. ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Nov 19, 2012:
- Budget Deal essential for future of Europe
  The Union of European Federalists calls on the European Council to settle the long-running dispute over the Multi-Annual Financial Framework at its meeting later this week. Speaking after the meeting in Warsaw on 16-17 November of the Federal Committee of the UEF, its President Andrew Duff MEP said: "The Union needs the financial resources to fulfil its legal obligations and political objectives. We know that some EU states are suffering severe cuts in public spending, and it is right that we do everything we can at the EU level to reduce waste, stamp out corruption and tax evasion, and improve the quality of our investment. But the EU budget is budget for economic recovery. Used properly it can achieve vast economies of scale and cost efficiencies. "The MFF agreement must include a mid-term review clause so that spending commitments can be looked at again as the economic cycle turns. We also want the European Parliament and Commission to insist on the creation of two new own resources the Financial Transaction Tax and a new VAT precept which will increase the autonomy of the EU budget and relieve the direct burden on national treasuries. "Failure to agree the new financial perspectives this week will deepen the political crisis into which the EU has fallen. It will paralyse the further structural reform of EU policies, and will exacerbate the problem of financial accountability. "If the UK tries to veto a budgetary deal it will in effect be opening up the prospect of its secession from the European Union." Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Oct 25, 2012:
- UKIP plays "fast and loose" with East of England's research budget
  Local Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff has slammed attempts by UKIP to slash EU cash headed for local universities. Under the current EU research budget, the UK has received almost £500 million a year, nearly 10% of the national science budget. But during a vote on the new long-term EU budget this week in Strasbourg, UKIP supported an amendment to reduce this funding for the new programme from 2014. Commenting local MEP Andrew Duff said; "It's scandalous that UKIP has voted to slash EU cash for some of the research projects in our local universities including Cambridge. "Their claim that they are standing up for British interests is laughable." "Almost 10% of British funding for science projects comes from the EU research budget, which is why it is vital for many of our local universities. For example Cambridge University recently received €97.8 million of grants for 215 separate science projects." "UKIP have shown they have no regard for our universities and the excellent research they do" Dr Joanna Newman, Director of the UK Higher Education International Unit said that if Europe is to meet its Europe 2020 objectives for growth and jobs, of which the Innovation Union is a central element, the EU needs to ensure that strategic commitments to research and innovation are adequately reflected in its long term budget, the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). "In the current economic climate, the EU must look at ways to stimulate future economic growth and jobs. As its own Europe 2020 strategy states, the Innovation Union has been placed at its heart recognising the role of innovation and research in stimulating growth and jobs. "Therefore the EU should be willing to shift its budgetary priorities to reflect its focus on innovation and research, by, for example, reprioritising funds from the Common Agricultural Policy and other areas to meets it Europe 2020 targets," Dr Newman said. Notes to editors MEPs this week voted on a resolution on the so called "Multiannual Financial Framework", which sets out the European Parliament's priorities for EU funding from 2014 - 2020. UKIP's political group in the Parliament tabled an amendment to the text calling for cut in the money for, amongst other things, the Horizon 2020 programme, the EU's science and R&D programme after 2013. Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Oct 23, 2012:
- Andrew Duff regrets ACAA vote by Parliament
  Following the vote on the controversial EU-Israel Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) Andrew Duff said: "I regret that this agreement on Israeli pharmaceuticals has been approved by the Parliament - although it is a good thing that Parliament as a whole was finally able to take a decision on this controversial question that had been blocked in committee for more than four years. "I do not think that all the legal uncertainties surrounding ACAA have been resolved. And I trust that the Israeli government will not interpret this decision as being an expression of moral or political support for its refusal to make progress on a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question". ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Oct 12, 2012:
- Andrew Duff welcomes Nobel Peace prize for EU
  Peace constitutes the very foundation of Europe. The project of European integration arose from the need to put an end to the destructive national divisions among the European states. The European Federalists were the first visionaries who understood that overcoming the national divisions was the only possibility to guarantee a peaceful and prosper future for our continent, for our citizens. The European Union was created, and today it receives the Nobel Peace Prize, a strong and deserved recognition for its efforts as a key international player promoting peace in the world. Andrew Duff, President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), declared: " The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the EU must spur us on to continue the great work started by the federalists some 60 years ago. The pacifying influence of European integration still has to bring resolution to frozen conflicts with Turkey and in the Balkans". "A decade before the Treaty of Rome was signed, UEF was calling for a Union of peace, saying "Let Europe arise". Considering the European Union as a project of peace that we have to develop and hold, especially in times of crises, has always been our aim. We are very happy today" - said Christian Wenning, Secretary General of the Union of European Federalists (UEF). ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Oct 9, 2012:
- Duff welcomes vote against Czech attack on Charter
  Andrew DUFF (LibDem, UK)welcomes today's decision of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament not to give a positive opinion on the accession of the Czech Republic to the UK Protocol on the Charter. Andrew Duff, who is rapporteur on the matter, said: "There is clearly no majority in the House for yet another amendment to the Treaty of Lisbon which, if it has any effect at all, will weaken the Charter of Fundamental Rights". "The Czech initiative to join the British and Polish Protocol is highly regrettable and was triggered only by President Klaus in one of his moves against the Lisbon treaty. The proposal of Mr Klaus is not even supported by a majority in the Czech Parliament. The European Parliament is perfectly within its rights to decide not to give an official Opinion on treaty revision at the request of the European Council". "I hope that the European Council will draw the lesson from Parliament's protracted debate on this matter and quietly shelve the Czech proposal." END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Sep 26, 2012:
- 'Europe in want of a new Government'
  The lack of an economic government at EU level is the question which Andrew Duff addresses in his new book which is launched in Brussels today. In his short book, On Governing Europe, Duff explains how the EU has responded so far to the financial and economic crisis. He describes the measures taken by way of crisis management, and includes his assessment of the fiscal compact treaty and the Van Rompuy paper of June 2012. Going further, the author says that although there is much concern about democratic legitimacy of the Union, the more serious problem is the lack of a credible discernible government of the political economy. The shift from fiscal discipline to fiscal solidarity requires a new sort of federal economic government to manage affairs in the interests of taxpayers. At present it is impossible to answer the question 'who's in charge?'. Economic governance is dispersed between European Commission, ECOFIN, Eurogroup, European Council and European Central Bank. Andrew Duff says that firm leadership will only be provided by the installation of a powerful EU treasury secretary. On Governing Europe ends with a look forward to the constitutional Convention which, Duff says, should begin in spring 2015. He suggests the outline of an agenda for this treaty change exercise whose aim must be to establish a federal polity with full democratic legitimacy. If the United Kingdom cannot agree to such a federal step it must stand aside and let the rest of the EU go forward. A referendum in Britain on the federal package, he argues, can only be won if the British are given the option of a new form of associate membership. END Editors' Note: Andrew Duff MEP is spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). The book is published by Policy Network. On Governing Europe is available in softback or on-line at: http://www.policy-network.net/publications/4257/On-Governing-Europe After the launch in Brussels today, 26 September, there will be a launch in London on Tuesday 9 October in the House of Lords. Details from Katherine Roberts kroberts@policy-network.net Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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