Barroso needs to stand up to bullies in second term (Ilford North Liberal Democrats)

Ilford North Liberal Democrats <dominic247@btinternet.com>

Barroso needs to stand up to bullies in second term

September 16, 2009 12:00 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

MEPs have voted to back incumbent European Commission president José Manuel Barroso for a further five years. He received 382 votes, therefore achieving an absolute majority which gives him a strong mandate.

The vote showed a strong political flavour. Though secret, it is believed that the centre-right European People's Party and the majority of the Liberal (ALDE) group backed him, while most on the left voted against. Most Labour MEPs however are thought to have abstained, even though Gordon Brown backs Barroso.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and MEP for London Sarah Ludford said:

"I backed Barroso because he has so far resisted protectionism inside and outside the EU and because in these difficult times stability has its virtues. But the concessions he has made to 'social Europe' must not undermine his determination to strengthen the EU single market."

"He was disappointing in his first term in kow-towing to big governments and showing no real instinct for human rights. This tendency was already visible in his tenure as Portuguese prime minister when he supported the Bush and Blair illegal Iraq war and permitted CIA rendition flights en route to Guantanamo."

"He needs now to display more backbone towards bullies and 'big beasts'. He must fully support the new ALDE-proposed Fundamental Rights Commissioner he agreed to, allowing that Commissioner to challenge even important EU states."

"Labour MEPs who sat on the fence in this vote showed the kind of courage and decisiveness that we have come to associate with the Labour party. The vote should have been an open one anyway; our constituents have the right to know how we voted."