On the 3rd June 2010 (Hansard Col 637) Julian Sturdy made his maiden speech in parliament. Like most maiden speeches it wasn't particularly memorable but I thought the final few paragraphs were interesting when he touched on the EU. Winding up, he said: "In other key areas, too, the EU has the potential to be a force for good as we tackle global poverty and the rise in global competitiveness, and get to grips with global climate change".
He went on:
"Britain should play a full role in ensuring that the EU’s voice is heard loud and clear on an increasingly diverse global stage. However, we will not be able to play such a role unless the boundaries and limitations of the EU are clearly drawn. The public need to believe in the worth of the EU and, in my view, that will happen only when we strengthen and protect further our own democracy here in Westminster".
It is not clear to me why he thought democracy needed strengthening or protecting. We are a democratic country and we will continue to be so. We elected the parliament that took us in to the EU and we voted in a referendum to give primacy to EU laws in some areas. We send elected MPs who are government ministers to the European Council. We elect MEPs to serve in the European parliament and vote on EU laws. What is the problem?
I agree the public need to "believe in the worth of the EU" but if parliamentarians like Julian Sturdy undermine it by saying that, "My central concern and frustration with the EU and the European project is how it has grown into a political union far removed from the Common Market we joined in 1973" (HERE) when it is totally and provably untrue, it is hardly surprising the public do not believe in it.
It is not clear to me why he thought democracy needed strengthening or protecting. We are a democratic country and we will continue to be so. We elected the parliament that took us in to the EU and we voted in a referendum to give primacy to EU laws in some areas. We send elected MPs who are government ministers to the European Council. We elect MEPs to serve in the European parliament and vote on EU laws. What is the problem?
I agree the public need to "believe in the worth of the EU" but if parliamentarians like Julian Sturdy undermine it by saying that, "My central concern and frustration with the EU and the European project is how it has grown into a political union far removed from the Common Market we joined in 1973" (HERE) when it is totally and provably untrue, it is hardly surprising the public do not believe in it.
