Last week the European Parliament debated the situation in Tibet. There were calls for a boycott of the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing this summer. Many, including the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering, expressed solidarity with the Dali Lama.
I do not believe we can continue to let China get away with human rights abuses. China should respect the cultural and religious identity of the Tibetan people. The Olympics must be fairly reported.A boycott of the opening of the Beijing Olympics would show we are serious. There are times when a strong stand is needed.
Monday 31 March 2008
Friday 28 March 2008
LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR WOMEN IN ZIMBABWE IS 34
Women in Zimbabwe can hope to live for just 34 years. It’s slightly higher for men – 37. Life expectancy has actually fallen by two months during the past year. Aids, the crumbling economy and hyper inflation are all taking their toll.In the UK female life expectancy is 81 and 76 for men. At the turn of the 20th century in 1901, it was 49 for women and 45 for men.
Women in the relatively prosperous west have always lived longer on average than men.There are also more first time mothers in the UK in the 30 – 34 age range than aged 25 – 20. In England and Wales there were 669,601 live births during 2006. 110,509 were to women between 35 and 39 and 22,512 to those aged 40 -44. The majority of British mothers give birth after the age at which their Zimbabwean sisters die.
Yesterday I wrote about the lack of women in senior positions in the European Commission and Council. Women’s representation is important and I will continue to work to make it better.
Yet if you were a woman in Zimbabwe you would stand a snowball’s chance in hell of getting anywhere. You would be dead.
Women in the relatively prosperous west have always lived longer on average than men.There are also more first time mothers in the UK in the 30 – 34 age range than aged 25 – 20. In England and Wales there were 669,601 live births during 2006. 110,509 were to women between 35 and 39 and 22,512 to those aged 40 -44. The majority of British mothers give birth after the age at which their Zimbabwean sisters die.
Yesterday I wrote about the lack of women in senior positions in the European Commission and Council. Women’s representation is important and I will continue to work to make it better.
Yet if you were a woman in Zimbabwe you would stand a snowball’s chance in hell of getting anywhere. You would be dead.
Thursday 27 March 2008
NO WOMEN FOR NEW TOP EU POSTS
After the European elections in June next year there will be some amendments to the way the European Union works. Yes, you've got it. I'm talking about the Lisbon Treaty. Two important posts need to be filled after June 2009, assuming all Member States ratify the Treaty. One is the President of the Council of Ministers who will serve for two and a half years as opposed to the current six-month rotating presidency. The other is a new leadership position in external affairs combining the roles of the present Council High Representative and the External Affairs Commissioner.
Both these reforms are highly sensible. It's not the reforms which are the problem. It's not even the candidates who are being put forward for the posts. The real issue is the lack of women. Despite the excellent representation of women in the European Parliament, currently standing at one third of the members, it seems impossible to get women into senior positions in the Commission and to a lesser extent the Council. There really is no excuse for such gender imbalance.
Both these reforms are highly sensible. It's not the reforms which are the problem. It's not even the candidates who are being put forward for the posts. The real issue is the lack of women. Despite the excellent representation of women in the European Parliament, currently standing at one third of the members, it seems impossible to get women into senior positions in the Commission and to a lesser extent the Council. There really is no excuse for such gender imbalance.
Wednesday 26 March 2008
MEN IN FROCKS DENY HUMAN RIGHTS
While I, along with most decent people, try to respect an individual's religious faith, I find it impossible to accept the shanigins of the Roman Catholic Church on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill currently going through the House of Commons. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, seemingly the leading man in a frock on this matter, has called the proposed legislation a "monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life." Having been caught out on the adoption agencies legislation, the Catholic Church is really going for the Embryology Bill.
As well as the obvious question - what celibate men in frocks know about this issue - the pressure coming from the Catholic Church is directly opposed to basic human rights. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is designed to bring existing laws on fertility treatment and embryo research into line with scientific advances. It will allow procedures which may save lives and improve conditions for those who are sick. According to the Medical Research Council, the Royal Society, the Wellcome Trust and the Academy of Medical Sciences, "This research has massive potential to provide treatments for serious debilitating disorders ranging from developmental abnormalities in young children, to stroke, cancer, HIV/Aids, diabetes and Parkinson's disease, as well as better and safer treatment for infertile couples."
Nevertheless, the men in frocks think diktats created over 2000 years ago are more important than life on this earth in the here and now. Sadly, three Cabinet members seem to agree with them. Paul Murphy, Des Browne and Ruth Kelly have almost certainly been responsible for persuading Gordon Brown to come up with his recently announced compromise. Labour MPs will now have a free vote on the most controversial parts of the Bill - preventing fertility clinics from refusing treatment to single women and lesbians, creating a child with the correct tissue match to save a sick brother or sister and creating so-called hybrid animal/human embryos to aid stem cell research.
Why on earth should matters to do with reproduction and sexuality be questions of "conscience" and thus allowed a free vote in Parliament while going to war and raising taxes (to name but two) are subject to the most rigorous party discipline? There has never been an adequate answer to this, save perhaps the unspoken thought that since it is women who are more affected, it is somehow all right to ride roughshod over their (our) human rights.
As well as the obvious question - what celibate men in frocks know about this issue - the pressure coming from the Catholic Church is directly opposed to basic human rights. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is designed to bring existing laws on fertility treatment and embryo research into line with scientific advances. It will allow procedures which may save lives and improve conditions for those who are sick. According to the Medical Research Council, the Royal Society, the Wellcome Trust and the Academy of Medical Sciences, "This research has massive potential to provide treatments for serious debilitating disorders ranging from developmental abnormalities in young children, to stroke, cancer, HIV/Aids, diabetes and Parkinson's disease, as well as better and safer treatment for infertile couples."
Nevertheless, the men in frocks think diktats created over 2000 years ago are more important than life on this earth in the here and now. Sadly, three Cabinet members seem to agree with them. Paul Murphy, Des Browne and Ruth Kelly have almost certainly been responsible for persuading Gordon Brown to come up with his recently announced compromise. Labour MPs will now have a free vote on the most controversial parts of the Bill - preventing fertility clinics from refusing treatment to single women and lesbians, creating a child with the correct tissue match to save a sick brother or sister and creating so-called hybrid animal/human embryos to aid stem cell research.
Why on earth should matters to do with reproduction and sexuality be questions of "conscience" and thus allowed a free vote in Parliament while going to war and raising taxes (to name but two) are subject to the most rigorous party discipline? There has never been an adequate answer to this, save perhaps the unspoken thought that since it is women who are more affected, it is somehow all right to ride roughshod over their (our) human rights.
Tuesday 25 March 2008
PROGRESS ON CYPRUS
Occasionally you are in the right place at the right time. I shall never forget the moment on 23 April 2003 when the Green Line in Cyprus was opened. I just happened to be there for a meeting of the European Parliament/Cyprus House of Representatives Joint Parliamentary Committee. As darkness fell, Committee members made their way through central Nicosia to the Ledra Palace crossing to join the ever-growing crowd rejoicing under the midnight sky.
Last Friday (Good Friday in the UK but not in Orthodox Cyprus) the new President of the Republic, Dimitris Christofias, and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriots in the north, met to talk about how to move the Cyprus problem forward. Facilitated by the United Nations Special Representative Michael Moller, the talks appear to have been positive. It was agreed to set up a number of working groups and technical committees - the first steps towards something more concrete.
I was again in Cyprus at an historic moment, though on holiday this time. While two leaders holding talks lacks the dramatic thrill of a crossing opening after 29 years, the end result will, I hope, be a permanent settlement. I believe there is real political will this time and that success is in the air.
Last Friday (Good Friday in the UK but not in Orthodox Cyprus) the new President of the Republic, Dimitris Christofias, and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriots in the north, met to talk about how to move the Cyprus problem forward. Facilitated by the United Nations Special Representative Michael Moller, the talks appear to have been positive. It was agreed to set up a number of working groups and technical committees - the first steps towards something more concrete.
I was again in Cyprus at an historic moment, though on holiday this time. While two leaders holding talks lacks the dramatic thrill of a crossing opening after 29 years, the end result will, I hope, be a permanent settlement. I believe there is real political will this time and that success is in the air.
Wednesday 19 March 2008
FIGHTING THE SEX TRADE IN EUROPE
This week I've been blogging about the seminars that I was involved with at Labour Party Conference in Birmingham. The last seminar I spoke at was on fighting the sex trade in Europe.
By definition, the sex trade and human trafficking are international problems. The European Union is ideally placed to address these issues, partly through enhanced cross-border police cooperation to catch those who profit from human misery.
I also spoke about some of the lessons that we can learn from other European countries. Sweden took a brave decision in 1999 and criminalised the purchase of sex. Sweden has subsequently seen a dramatic fall in the incidence of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
All Internationalist parties should look at what legislation works well in other countries. I believe we should strongly consider introducing the Swedish model here.
That was the strong message I gave to conference.
This blog will be back on Tuesday.
By definition, the sex trade and human trafficking are international problems. The European Union is ideally placed to address these issues, partly through enhanced cross-border police cooperation to catch those who profit from human misery.
I also spoke about some of the lessons that we can learn from other European countries. Sweden took a brave decision in 1999 and criminalised the purchase of sex. Sweden has subsequently seen a dramatic fall in the incidence of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
All Internationalist parties should look at what legislation works well in other countries. I believe we should strongly consider introducing the Swedish model here.
That was the strong message I gave to conference.
This blog will be back on Tuesday.
Monday 17 March 2008
SPRING CONFERENCE
At the end of February I attended the Labour Party Spring Conference in Birmingham. This year I spoke at three seminars on fairly diverse subjects. One seminar was on education, one on campaigning on the web and the third was on fighting the sex trade in Europe.
Education is not normally an area where the EU gets directly involved. It is rightly up to individual countries to decide on their educational priorities. But there are a number of areas where EU cooperation can help. As Labour's spokesperson on Culture, Youth and Education in the European Parliament, I spoke about what Labour MEPs are doing to boost cooperation in the field of education.
ERASMUS is one of the EU's flagship education schemes. It allows university students to spend up to one year studying abroad. Needless to say almost everyone who opts to take an Erasmus year comes back with a broader outlook on life, enhanced language skills and increased employment prospects. It's sad then that the Tories recently voted against increasing the grant for students who take part in the scheme.
Europe has traditionally excelled in pure science but we have a poor record at translating this into useful innovation, particularly when compared to the United States. I spoke about the benefit we can get out of the proposed European Institute of Technology.
Finally, I also talked about some of the work we're doing to ensure that university degrees from one member state are recognised in another. More and more graduates are seeking work in another country. Mutual recognition of degrees will surely help their employment prospects.
I'll write more on the other two seminars tomorrow and Wednesday.
Education is not normally an area where the EU gets directly involved. It is rightly up to individual countries to decide on their educational priorities. But there are a number of areas where EU cooperation can help. As Labour's spokesperson on Culture, Youth and Education in the European Parliament, I spoke about what Labour MEPs are doing to boost cooperation in the field of education.
ERASMUS is one of the EU's flagship education schemes. It allows university students to spend up to one year studying abroad. Needless to say almost everyone who opts to take an Erasmus year comes back with a broader outlook on life, enhanced language skills and increased employment prospects. It's sad then that the Tories recently voted against increasing the grant for students who take part in the scheme.
Europe has traditionally excelled in pure science but we have a poor record at translating this into useful innovation, particularly when compared to the United States. I spoke about the benefit we can get out of the proposed European Institute of Technology.
Finally, I also talked about some of the work we're doing to ensure that university degrees from one member state are recognised in another. More and more graduates are seeking work in another country. Mutual recognition of degrees will surely help their employment prospects.
I'll write more on the other two seminars tomorrow and Wednesday.
Friday 14 March 2008
CAMERON AND THE ABORTION TIME LIMIT
We are all waking up to David Cameron’s anti-woman agenda. Although he hides it well with plausibly warm words, the modern Tory Party is no more in favour of equal opportunities than its previous incarnations. Take the abortion time limit. Cameron has decided to vote to lower the legal limit for abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill comes before the Commons in a few weeks.
According to the sycophantic “Daily Mail” the reason he has stuck his neck out on such a contentious issue is the Conservative MP Nadine Dorries. You will remember that the delightful Ms Dorries is the woman who took “Emily’s List”, the organisation which provides funds for Labour women to get selected for parliament, to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. The grounds – Emily’s List requires those it helps to state that they are in favour of a woman’s right to choose. The delectable Dorries claimed this was bribery to vote a certain way. Needless to say, the Standards Commissioner saw Dorries’s complaint for what it was and rejected it.
Her latest nonsense is to attack the Government's relaxed approach to sex education. Yes, you’ve guessed it – sex education encourages young people to have sex. Dorries has either not seen or willfully ignored evidence from the Netherlands and elsewhere that sex education reduces teenage pregnancies. Surely even she would think this is what we should be aiming for. Just in case you haven’t clocked it, Nadine Dorries is a right-wing Christian evangelist. "I try to live like a Christian. I try not to lie, to help others.” She told the Daily Mail. She is also on record as saying that she sees evil in late abortion. She would do better to be less focused on evil and more humanitarian in her approach.
According to the sycophantic “Daily Mail” the reason he has stuck his neck out on such a contentious issue is the Conservative MP Nadine Dorries. You will remember that the delightful Ms Dorries is the woman who took “Emily’s List”, the organisation which provides funds for Labour women to get selected for parliament, to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. The grounds – Emily’s List requires those it helps to state that they are in favour of a woman’s right to choose. The delectable Dorries claimed this was bribery to vote a certain way. Needless to say, the Standards Commissioner saw Dorries’s complaint for what it was and rejected it.
Her latest nonsense is to attack the Government's relaxed approach to sex education. Yes, you’ve guessed it – sex education encourages young people to have sex. Dorries has either not seen or willfully ignored evidence from the Netherlands and elsewhere that sex education reduces teenage pregnancies. Surely even she would think this is what we should be aiming for. Just in case you haven’t clocked it, Nadine Dorries is a right-wing Christian evangelist. "I try to live like a Christian. I try not to lie, to help others.” She told the Daily Mail. She is also on record as saying that she sees evil in late abortion. She would do better to be less focused on evil and more humanitarian in her approach.
Thursday 13 March 2008
THE BUDGET
The days when the budget was one of the highlights of the parliamentary year attracting huge news coverage and whipping up strong emotions are long gone. Today the budget is one event among many, but no less important for that. Alistair Darling did a good job yesterday, declaring: "Even in today's difficult and uncertain times, we are determined that we will not be diverted from our long-term aim: to equip our country for the challenges of the future, confront climate change and end child poverty in this generation."
The £1.7 billion package to lift a further 250,000 out of child poverty is extremely good news. The higher vehicle excise duty for higher carbon emissions, the 10% increase in air passenger duty and the plan to make all non-essential buildings carbon neutral by 2019 are significant proposals to tackle climate change. Equally important was the £575 million for higher winter fuel payments for pensioners. The little reported lifeline to registered charities allowing them to keep the current rates of tax relief on Gift Aid donations also showed the Government's commitment to improving life for everyone in this country.
I have no problem with the extra 4p on a pint of beer, 14p on a bottle of wine and 55p on a bottle of spirits, which strike me as a good way of raising revenue. All in all it as the budget we need at the moment - prudent and equitable making sound financial sense.
The £1.7 billion package to lift a further 250,000 out of child poverty is extremely good news. The higher vehicle excise duty for higher carbon emissions, the 10% increase in air passenger duty and the plan to make all non-essential buildings carbon neutral by 2019 are significant proposals to tackle climate change. Equally important was the £575 million for higher winter fuel payments for pensioners. The little reported lifeline to registered charities allowing them to keep the current rates of tax relief on Gift Aid donations also showed the Government's commitment to improving life for everyone in this country.
I have no problem with the extra 4p on a pint of beer, 14p on a bottle of wine and 55p on a bottle of spirits, which strike me as a good way of raising revenue. All in all it as the budget we need at the moment - prudent and equitable making sound financial sense.
Wednesday 12 March 2008
SOCIALIST VICTORY IN SPAIN
Congratulations to Spain's returning Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. It is very good to see another centre left government in Europe and to know that Spaniards have confidence in their socialist party. "The Spanish people have spoken clearly and have decided to open a new period without tension, without confrontation," Mr Zapatero told the flag-waving crowd gathered outside his party's Madrid headquarters.
Mr Zapatero has promised a new era in Spanish politics, after winning another four year term in office. The election result was a clear endorsement of the prime minister's programme of liberal reforms - including a gender-equality law, fast-track divorces and same-sex marriage - which has been fiercely opposed by conservatives and the Roman Catholic Church.
However, after a decade of growth, Spain is stuttering. Inflation is at a 10-year high and unemployment is the highest this century. The Spanish housing boom is dwindling, exacerbated by the global credit crunch. As a result Mr Zapatero is expected to start his new term by announcing measures to boost growth and jobs. I'm sure you will join me in wishing him every success.
Mr Zapatero has promised a new era in Spanish politics, after winning another four year term in office. The election result was a clear endorsement of the prime minister's programme of liberal reforms - including a gender-equality law, fast-track divorces and same-sex marriage - which has been fiercely opposed by conservatives and the Roman Catholic Church.
However, after a decade of growth, Spain is stuttering. Inflation is at a 10-year high and unemployment is the highest this century. The Spanish housing boom is dwindling, exacerbated by the global credit crunch. As a result Mr Zapatero is expected to start his new term by announcing measures to boost growth and jobs. I'm sure you will join me in wishing him every success.
Tuesday 11 March 2008
THE TORIES AND WOMEN
The Tories are still making noises about getting more Tory women into Westminster and having more women on their front bench. Mr Cameron wants two of the final four candidates in each Westminster selection to be female. He has also said he will increase the number of women on his priority list from 50% to 60%.
Hazel Blears is on record as saying that the changes will fail to change the Tories and that the Conservative Party is still failing women. You only need to look at the Tories in the European Parliament to see the real proof of just how true that is. There is only one woman Conservative MEP and she is standing down at the European elections next year. In the 2004 Euro elections there were two regional lists which did not include any women at all.
The Tories will complete their selections for the next European elections very soon. It will be interesting to see whether David Cameron's fine words have any substance.
Hazel Blears is on record as saying that the changes will fail to change the Tories and that the Conservative Party is still failing women. You only need to look at the Tories in the European Parliament to see the real proof of just how true that is. There is only one woman Conservative MEP and she is standing down at the European elections next year. In the 2004 Euro elections there were two regional lists which did not include any women at all.
The Tories will complete their selections for the next European elections very soon. It will be interesting to see whether David Cameron's fine words have any substance.
Monday 10 March 2008
US AIR FORCE AWARDS CONTRACT TO EUROPEAN FIRM
None of us, I am sure, are surprised that the United States Air Force's decision to award a huge US Air Force contract to the European Firm EADS is being challenged by the US Congress. The American lawmakers are concerned that Boeing is missing out on a deal to supply air tankers worth about £20 billion, one of the largest in the past 20 years. Congress now wants the USAF to explain itself.
Parts for the air tankers, including the wings, will be built in the UK by Airbus. However, the assembly work will be carried out in the United States, where the project will create or support 25,000 jobs. The USA is therefore not really missing out too much. And maybe the European bid was quite simply better.
Parts for the air tankers, including the wings, will be built in the UK by Airbus. However, the assembly work will be carried out in the United States, where the project will create or support 25,000 jobs. The USA is therefore not really missing out too much. And maybe the European bid was quite simply better.
Thursday 6 March 2008
THE THREAT FROM THE BNP
Make no mistake, the fascist BNP are out to fight. As we know they will fight dirty, stirring up racism and hatred. We must all fight the BNP at every opportunity. They must not be allowed to gain seats on any elected body. Winning elections will, of course, give the BNP credibility and legitimacy, which would be disastrous for the country.
The first real test are the GLA and Mayoral elections in May. There is talk that the BNP may gain a seat. It is absolutely crucial that we in the Labour Party work in every way we can to stop this happening. The same goes for the European elections next year.
There is a view that UKIP voters may swing to the BNP. I can believe this could well be the case. We therefore also have a duty to warn people about UKIP.
The first real test are the GLA and Mayoral elections in May. There is talk that the BNP may gain a seat. It is absolutely crucial that we in the Labour Party work in every way we can to stop this happening. The same goes for the European elections next year.
There is a view that UKIP voters may swing to the BNP. I can believe this could well be the case. We therefore also have a duty to warn people about UKIP.
Wednesday 5 March 2008
LABOUR SPRING CONFERENCE
5th March 2008
Spring Conference was a good event this year for Europe. The Party agreed that European legislation and policy would be an integral party of each session and that MEPs would attend the policy seminars on the top table with Ministers. As you can imagine, this was very well received by all the MEPs. Our legislative work has a real impact on everyone's life in the UK. Maybe European Directives and the processes by which they are debated and agreed is at last getting the right level of recognition.
I was fortunate to speak in three sessions: the closing Women's Plenary on trafficking of human beings with Harriet Harman MP, Barbara Keeley MP and Marianne Mikko, one of my MEP colleagues from Estonia. I also addressed the Education Policy Seminar in my capacity as Spokesperson on Culture and Education, and a workshop on women and the web, discussing uses for new technology.
The EPLP organised a session for the European candidates on the Sunday morning. This was a good event, and it was cheering to see a number of candidates there. No doubt we shall see much more of each other during the next year or so.
Spring Conference was a good event this year for Europe. The Party agreed that European legislation and policy would be an integral party of each session and that MEPs would attend the policy seminars on the top table with Ministers. As you can imagine, this was very well received by all the MEPs. Our legislative work has a real impact on everyone's life in the UK. Maybe European Directives and the processes by which they are debated and agreed is at last getting the right level of recognition.
I was fortunate to speak in three sessions: the closing Women's Plenary on trafficking of human beings with Harriet Harman MP, Barbara Keeley MP and Marianne Mikko, one of my MEP colleagues from Estonia. I also addressed the Education Policy Seminar in my capacity as Spokesperson on Culture and Education, and a workshop on women and the web, discussing uses for new technology.
The EPLP organised a session for the European candidates on the Sunday morning. This was a good event, and it was cheering to see a number of candidates there. No doubt we shall see much more of each other during the next year or so.
Tuesday 4 March 2008
CYPRUS APPOINTS WOMAN COMMISSIONER
4th March 2008
Congratulations to Androula Vassiliou who has been chosen to replace Markos Kyprianou as Cyprus's EU Commissioner. Now that Mr Kyprianou has left to become Cyprus's Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is very good news that President Christofas has appointed a woman as his successor. Cyprus may not have any women MEPs, but they do now have a female Commissioner.
Mrs. Vassiliou's appointment will have to be approved by EU Member States and she will also have to appear before the relevant European Parliament Committees to test her knowledge of the EU health portfolio, which she will be taking over from Mr Kyprianou. As a member of the Cypriot parliament, Mrs Vassiliou is no doubt used to such processes.
My very best wishes to Androula Vassiliou. The health brief is important and this is a great opportunity for the new Commissioner and for Cyprus.
Congratulations to Androula Vassiliou who has been chosen to replace Markos Kyprianou as Cyprus's EU Commissioner. Now that Mr Kyprianou has left to become Cyprus's Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is very good news that President Christofas has appointed a woman as his successor. Cyprus may not have any women MEPs, but they do now have a female Commissioner.
Mrs. Vassiliou's appointment will have to be approved by EU Member States and she will also have to appear before the relevant European Parliament Committees to test her knowledge of the EU health portfolio, which she will be taking over from Mr Kyprianou. As a member of the Cypriot parliament, Mrs Vassiliou is no doubt used to such processes.
My very best wishes to Androula Vassiliou. The health brief is important and this is a great opportunity for the new Commissioner and for Cyprus.
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