Conservative MEPs have voted against a European Parliament report which calls for a seat for the EU at the UN Security Council.
The report makes a series of proposals for an enhanced EU role within the UN, including a permanent seat on an enlarged Security Council. It also calls for a World Parliament through the auspices of the UN and the creation of other new UN Institutions such as a Sustainable Development Council.
Labour, the SNP and Plaid Cymru all voted in favour of the report, but the Conservatives believe that, while reform of the UN is necessary, the UK has a key role to play at the UN and retaining its own Security Council seat is vital.
Foreign Affairs and Human Rights spokesman, London MEP Charles Tannock, said: “This report was supposed to be about establishing areas where Member States could willingly co-operate together at the UN in instances where common positions exist.
“Unfortunately the report has been hijacked by those seeking to push the agenda for a single EU seat at the UN, which has no support in our group.”
