"Putting ears on the European Union"

Buffin · 12-10-2005, 04:08 PM

It sounds like a game for the UKIP xmas party, doesn't it? But actually it is the policy of Margot Wallström.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c327a2bc-3a...00e2511c8.html

Extract -

"We have not been good communicators until now," she admitted. "It will require a cultural change. We need to put ears on the European Union." How it will react if it does not like what it hears is untested.

Mrs Wallström is boosting the staffing and profile of the Commission's 400 national offices, convening "citizens' forums" where people will be consulted on policies, and visiting all 25 member countries with José Manuel Barroso, Commission president, and the national commissioner.

Commissioners will be questioned by national parliaments, which will be encouraged to debate EU legislation more openly.

Results of national debates will be discussed on Europe Day 2006, May 9, at a conference on the future of Europe. Those conclusions will be analysed at a June summit of European leaders.

Governments will also appoint goodwill ambassadors - prominent pro- Europeans from the arts, business and sport.

One change is the lack of emphasis on forging a single European identity. "I do not think it is necessary to love Europe but to have respect for what it can deliver," she said.

Certainly something for UKIP to join in ... and what makes me think they'll be spending our money (again) on political persuasion?

mkpdavies · 12-10-2005, 04:11 PM

Margot Wallström is the best thing to happen to EUsceptism. Keep her doing what she is doing.

C_steam · 13-10-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

on Europe Day 2006, May 9

Given the building pressure for additional national holidays, I'm amazed Bliar hasn't spotted this opportunity!

12-10-2005, 04:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Buffin Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Herts. Posts: 27	"Putting ears on the European Union" It sounds like a game for the UKIP xmas party, doesn't it? But actually it is the policy of Margot Wallström. http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c327a2bc-3a...00e2511c8.html Extract - "We have not been good communicators until now," she admitted. "It will require a cultural change. We need to put ears on the European Union." How it will react if it does not like what it hears is untested. Mrs Wallström is boosting the staffing and profile of the Commission's 400 national offices, convening "citizens' forums" where people will be consulted on policies, and visiting all 25 member countries with José Manuel Barroso, Commission president, and the national commissioner. Commissioners will be questioned by national parliaments, which will be encouraged to debate EU legislation more openly. Results of national debates will be discussed on Europe Day 2006, May 9, at a conference on the future of Europe. Those conclusions will be analysed at a June summit of European leaders. Governments will also appoint goodwill ambassadors - prominent pro- Europeans from the arts, business and sport. One change is the lack of emphasis on forging a single European identity. "I do not think it is necessary to love Europe but to have respect for what it can deliver," she said. Certainly something for UKIP to join in ... and what makes me think they'll be spending our money (again) on political persuasion?

12-10-2005, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,182 Party: Libertarian Party	Margot Wallström is the best thing to happen to EUsceptism. Keep her doing what she is doing. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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