Conservatives in the European Parliament
European Parliament News
Here you can find an archive of all the news items that have been on this website.
Futures market could help hard pressed UK dairy farmers
15-Jan-2016 @ 2:45
A futures market in dairy products could be established in an attempt to reduce the price volatility affecting UK farmers. The idea, championed by Conservative MEPs, is to be examined by a new EU task force charged with examining how to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain.
We are seeking to recruit an experienced Policy Adviser
15-Jan-2016 @ 1:0
We are seeking to recruit a policy adviser to the Conservative delegation of the ECR Group in the European Parliament.
We are recruiting an experienced press and media officer
15-Jan-2016 @ 1:0
The Conservative delegation of the ECR Group in the European Parliament is seeking an experienced Media Officer to join the delegation's press office.
Duncan demands discard ban protection for cod fishermen
14-Jan-2016 @ 18:30
Conservative Fisheries Spokesman Ian Duncan MEP is working to change European Union rules that will see fishermen who catch white fish treated differently to those who fish mackerel or herring.
Bashir critical of EU's Drax investigation
05-Jan-2016 @ 15:30
Yorkshire's Conservative MEP Amjad Bashir today hit out at the announcement of an EU "state aid" investigation into the future of Drax Power Station.
Duncan: Plan B needed following alcohol minimum pricing ruling
23-Dec-2015 @ 11:0
Ian Duncan, the Conservative MEP for Scotland, has reacted to the ruling by the European Court of Justice that introducing a Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol in Scotland would be in breach of EU Law. This follows a challenge to the Scottish Government's plans by the Scotch Whisky Association.
Conservative MEPs back UK Steel's call for EU action
21-Dec-2015 @ 12:30
Conservative MEPs today backed UK Steel's call for immediate action by the European Union to help the British steel industry.
Conservative MEP to oversee new EU gun laws
17-Dec-2015 @ 12:0
Conservative MEP Vicky Ford has been handed the role of overseeing the formulation and scrutiny of tougher EU gun laws which have been proposed in the wake of the Paris terrorist attack. Mrs Ford, who chairs the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, was today appointed rapporteur for legislation amending the current EU Directive on firearms.
Duncan: EU Commissioner "overstepped the mark" during fish quota talks
17-Dec-2015 @ 11:30
Conservative fisheries spokesman in the European Parliament, Dr Ian Duncan MEP, has written an urgent letter to Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella, after the European Commission conducted negotiations on the 'Blue Whiting’ catch without consulting the UK or other member states.
MEP calls for targeted sanctions to counter worsening situation in Maldives
17-Dec-2015 @ 11:30
A senior Conservative MEP has said it is time for the EU to consider targeted sanctions and travel bans against leading members of the government of the Maldives. Foreign Affairs Spokesman Dr Charles Tannock has today (Thursday) expressed deep concerns about the situation in the country, following the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed.
EU Data Protection package is an improvement, but work needed to ensure it does not harm small businesses
17-Dec-2015 @ 10:0
The new data protection legislation will be put to a vote today in the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties committee.
Cheaper TVs, video game consoles, IT and hospital equipment on the way thanks to world trade deal
17-Dec-2015 @ 01:00
An agreement finalised last night at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which will see cheaper high tech products on our shelves by removing tariffs, has been welcomed by European Conservatives and Reformists trade spokesman Emma McClarkin MEP.
Conservatives call for EU action to help the steel industry
16-Dec-2015 @ 17:0
Conservative MEPs have pledged to continue fighting for effective European action to help the steel industry after voting against proposed measures they fear could spark a trade war with China. The European Parliament today approved a report calling for the introduction of a complex system of border measures on imported steel, aluminium and other base metals based on the amount of carbon emitted during their production.
Labour report on tax threatens national sovereignty, say Conservative MEPs
16-Dec-2015 @ 13:0
Conservative MEPs have voted to reject a report from a British Labour MEP which calls for more powers for the European Commission over tax policies. The report, co-written by Anneliese Dodds, calls for the introduction of a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base, a European definition of tax havens, and mandatory notification of all new tax measures by national governments to the European Commission. It is part of the European Parliament's response to the "LuxLeaks" revelations over allegations of tax avoidance. Conservative MEPs fully support the fight against aggressive tax avoidance, but this should be a global fight, rather than yet another excuse for handing over more powers to the European Commission. Ashley Fox MEP, leader of the Conservative delegation in the European Parliament said: "Once again we see how Labour MEPs simply do not have British interests at heart, being behind a report which calls for tax policies to be handed over to Brussels bureaucrats. "This report completely oversteps the mark with regards to tax harmonisation. Tax policies are a matter for national governments, and Conservative MEPs will fight to keep it that way. "Of course, tackling tax fraud and other harmful taxation practices is a very real issue, but it is one that reaches beyond the frontiers of the EU, and so an international agreement is needed. "Instead of coming up with its own ideas, the EU should be rigorously following the ongoing work already done by the OECD and the G20."
Kamall: on tomorrow’s summit: no easy answers to Europe’s many challenges
16-Dec-2015 @ 11:0
There are no easy answers or simplistic responses to the many challenges mounting in the EU such as the migrant crisis, terrorism and the UK renegotiation, Syed Kamall MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists leader, said today in a speech on tomorrow’s summit. Speaking in the chamber in Strasbourg, he said:
Conservatives welcome quota increase for British fishermen
16-Dec-2015 @ 1:0
Conservative MEPs have welcomed the deal reached this morning that will see an increase in the quota of many species which British fishermen can catch. The decisions taken by the EU Fisheries Council will mean a 100% increase in English Channel plaice, a 20% increase in Celtic Sea hake and a 15% increase in Western Channel sole. West coast monkfish was increased by 20%, west coast and Rockall haddock by 21% and 47% respectively. Quotas of skates and rays and pollock will be maintained at 2015 rates, in contrast to the usual 20% precautionary cut for these species.
Conservatives back support for microbusinesses
16-Dec-2015 @ 9:0
A scheme to increase the availability of credit to new and developing firms should be measured by its ability to help entrepreneurs get their projects off the ground.
Duncan: Energy Union must not lead to a one size fits all approach
15-Dec-2015 @ 14:0
Conservative Energy Spokesman in the European Parliament, Dr Ian Duncan MEP, has warned that much-needed plans for an EU Energy Union must not remove flexibility from national governments to determine their own energy mix. Dr Duncan was speaking as the European Parliament voted on its response to the European Commission's Energy Union strategy, published earlier this year.
EU plans to protect steel industry could spark trade war
14-Dec-2015 @ 8:0
New proposals to protect the European steel industry from imports are possibly illegal, would almost certainly not work and risk provoking a trade war with China. Unless last minute changes are made, Conservative MEPs will on Wednesday vote against a report to the European Parliament proposing to introduce a complex system of border measures on imported steel, aluminium and other base metals based on the amount of carbon emitted during their production.