Labour MEPs put pressure on governments to scrap Strasbourg

Labour MEPs will vote tomorrow (20 November) to give MEPs the right to decide where Parliament sits, in order to "save Europe's taxpayers millions".

Currently, the Parliament is unable to act without the unanimous approval of national governments, and too often the location of where the Parliament meets is used as a bargaining tool in their negotiations on other matters.

David Martin MEP, Labour's spokesperson on constitutional affairs, said:"MEPs have voted overwhelmingly on a number of occasions for a single seat for the European Parliament - it's time Parliament was given the power to decide where it meets.

"Splitting the Parliament between Strasbourg and Brussels is not an effective use of taxpayers' money, nor is it good for the environment.

"Parliament's role has changed since the seat was assigned to Strasbourg, and it is increasingly unacceptable for national governments to continue with two seats against the wishes of European voters.

"It is time they wake up to this fact and allow MEPs to decide for themselves where they work, which will be what voters want - one permanent place of work for the whole year."

Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour's leader in Europe, added: "The £150 million annual cost of having more than one seat is scandalous, at a time when Europe is under the yoke of austerity.

"MEPs, not the European Council, should decide where Parliament sits."

Share this article: