So the Brexiteers say the EU is going to collapse ….here’s evidence of exactly the opposite. Just one small example of how they’ve got everything so hopelessly wrong.

On Tuesday 25th September I received a letter from the Chairman of the Conservatives expelling me from the Party.

I believe that this is an extreme and disproportionate measure which illustrates an increasing level of intolerance within the Party particularly on the issue of Brexit.

It is no secret that I disagree with the PM on her strategy, as do many others, but I am being treated very differently from others in the Party, especially those with a much higher public profile. These are the tactics of a bully but I refuse to play the role of victim. I intend to direct my political energies into the Peoples Vote campaign and ensure that the final say on any deal is put to test at the ballot box.

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The International Civil Aviation Organisation, the global aviation governing body to which almost all nations are signatories, has agreed the recommended standards and practices phase of its landmark carbon reduction programme: The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). While this should be a step towards securing a greener and more sustainable future, serious deficiencies threaten to undermined hard fought concessions. Ambitious targets of carbon neutral growth from 2020 are increasingly at risk – on a global scale – with concessions to oil producing nations, the withdrawal of China and the offset itself now in the long grass.

Mrs Julie Girling MEP, the Rapporteur who guided the EU ETS through the European Parliament was largely disappointed with the outcome:

‘I am very disappointed, although not altogether surprised, at this outcome. The only real positive seems to be the push to complete the MRV process. The offset can has been kicked down the road to avoid confrontation which doesn’t augur well for future agreement. The decision on fossil fuels is a bizarre and unnecessary concession to oil producing countries including the US. China is out of the pilot stage; this is very bad news, States seem to be moving away from consensus causing frustration amongst many EU Member States.

It is now even more important for Europe to make an immediate reservation and re-assert the right to continue with the EU ETS. The EU takes its Paris commitments seriously and its increasingly clear that there is a real danger of the global scheme through CORSIA failing to deliver.

On a UK domestic note I just wonder how the development of Heathrow can be squared with the UK’s own climate commitments and the stale mate emerging on global action for aviation.’

ENDS

The following statement has been issued by the three pro-EU MEPs in the South West: Molly Scott Cato MEP, Clare Moody MEP and Julie Girling MEP:

“In a difficult week for pro-EU MEPs, when we debated the next stage of the leaving process, it was heartening to feel the warmth and generosity of our European colleagues in solidarity with the UK in the face of Russian aggression.

“We welcome the expression of solidarity from Frans Timmermans who said: “I believe it is of the utmost importance that those who are responsible for what has happened see very clearly that there is European solidarity, unequivocal, unwavering, and very strong – so that those responsible are really punished for what they did.”

“As MEPs who represent the people of Salisbury, and in particular Clare Moody who lives in the city, we want to offer our support to our constituents and reassure them that we will continue to work with our European friends to ensure their future security.”

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We wish to inform you that we will be leaving the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) and joining the European Peoples Party Group (EPP) in the European Parliament with immediate effect.

It is our intention to remain members of the Conservative Party in the UK as we believe that the activities and approach of the EPP will more effectively further the prospects of achieving the best possible future for our constituents. We will continue to work for our constituents from inside the largest and most influential Group in the European Parliament.

We very much look forward to working with our new colleagues from all 28 member states.

END

The licensing of pesticides will be reviewed by MEPs following the establishment today of a special European Parliament committee.

Sitting for nine months, committee members will examine the scientific evaluation of pesticides, including glyphosate, the world’s most commonly used weed killer which was relicensed for five years by the EU in December.

Julie Girling MEP, lead member for the Conservative and Reformist Group in the European Parliament, gave the decision a cautious welcome.

She said: “We know that there are many members of parliament who would like to see a complete ban on the use of all pesticides. They continually try to undermine the system by questioning the scientific consensus. They are attempting to undermine our agricultural productivity in a war of attrition. ”

I believe that this special committee will give Parliament the opportunity to examine this issue in detail, with the power to call witnesses and review the scientific evidence. I am confident that common sense will prevail resulting in a clearer picture for farmers”.

The special committee, comprising 30 MEPs, will produce a report and deliver its recommendations to Parliament.

Reforms to the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) have been approved today by MEPs in Strasbourg.

The ETS is the world’s first, and to date largest, installation-level cap-and trade system for cutting man-made greenhouse gas emissions.

It puts a monetary value on carbon emissions, in order to better reflect the costs of climate change and the opportunities for low-carbon options in our production and consumption choices. The ETS covers emissions from electricity, industry, and aviation – covering about 40% of total emissions.

However, since the financial crisis, the ETS has been weakened through an excess of allowances which has lowered carbon prices and, in turn, disincentivised investment in lower emitting technologies.

The new agreement is critical to reinvigorating the carbon market, pushing up the carbon price, and driving the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

South West MEP Julie Girling led negotiations for the Parliament on an agreement setting out these reforms. She believes the changes strike the right balance between the EU’s long-term climate commitments, while ensuring that European industries are protected from being undercut by external competitors operating to lower emissions standards.

Speaking after the vote, Mrs Girling said:

“The EU must have an emission’s trading system that can deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement if it is serious about its climate leadership. We have been careful to balance environmental concerns and protecting energy intensive industries throughout Europe.

“There are now 31 countries within the EU ETS and the rest of the world are now moving forwards to create their own. We have to keep building on this momentum.”

Contact John Furbisher
john@furbisher.media
07801 195800