Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-03-Speech-3-124"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-12-03"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:European governance2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20031203.9.3-124"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-12-03-Speech-3-1252
lpv:speaker	lp:Philip Bradbourn2
lpv:spoken text	"Mr President, I rise to speak specifically and directly in response to Sir Neil MacCormick's report on tripartite contracts. I hope I will be able to respond to a number of the points he made in his opening remarks. In the light of current events in the UK, this report centres on an extremely important issue. The UK Deputy Prime Minister a hapless fellow if ever there was one is trying to foist regional governance upon our own electorate. This unwanted and completely unnecessary tier of politicians is symbolic of the UK's recent shift towards regionalisation. I have no doubt this move is directly related to the President of the Commission's call for the development of a 'Europe of the regions'. This report, and the Commission proposal that lies behind it, certainly echo this call. By drawing up contracts directly with the regions, the Commission can enter into legally-binding agreements with local and regional bodies on regional and other policy issues such as the environment. If these proposals go ahead, one can imagine all manner of projects and policies which could be foisted on the UK by the back door. This move clearly represents a slippery slope towards a system where the prerogatives of national governments are diminished and those of the regions are enhanced. It appears to me that the Commission is attempting progressively to break down the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe into bite-sized chunks, aided and abetted, in this case, by our own government. British Conservatives are opposed to any measure which would bolster such a development. I shall certainly vote against this report tomorrow in plenary. Quite simply, we cannot accept a situation where the Commission foists upon us any changes to the UK's government structures. If we accept that the EU can deal directly in any way with the regions, we are compromising national integrity, and the nation as the prime building-block of the EU. This report represents an unacceptable interference in the governance of individual countries, and I reject the approach entirely."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	substitute; BUDG (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with Canada (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Malta Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-03-07--2004-04-30)3 member; Temporary committee on improving safety at sea (2003-11-20--2004-04-21)3 substitute; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2003-11-19--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Conservative and Unionist Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Bradbourn (PPE-DE )."1

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