7th June 2008

As the SW MEP Giles Chichester, Leader of the Tory MEPs is found breaking EU rules, Greens call again for more transparency and an end to the expenses 'Gravy Train'

The Western Daily reports that our SW MEP and the Leader of Conservative MEPs, Giles Chichester, who was in charge of Cameron's team to look into MEP's irregularities, is to quit after breaking European Parliament rules on political expenses (6/06/08). Outrageously he channelled almost £500,000 in staff allowances into a family business of which he is a paid director.

Surely if this is serious enough to resign the leadership over, it is serious enough to warrant resigning as an MEP. What is worse, is that senior MEPs are blocking transparency reforms in secret EU meetings while most MEPs, despite the recent scandals, are still unwilling to give details on their arrangements for handling their expenses.

In March a survey by Open Europe of all UK MEPs found only 45% responded to the survey. Only the Green party scored 100% in transparency while UKIP got 50%, Conservatives 36%, Lib Dems 27% and Labour 11% (i). Indeed Green MEP Caroline Lucas was elected The Observers' Ethical Politician of the Year. It seems there was not much competition! Apparently when MEPs, who hadn't responded to the survey, were questioned they showed a strong sense of entitlement, but almost no sense of accountability for how they spend taxpayers' money.

It is no wonder with scandals like this that the EUs reputation for wastefulness and extravagance grows. Greens have repeatedly called for an end to the travel expenses 'gravy train', improved MEPs' accountability through a stronger code of conduct and an end to wasted taxpayers money. Next years Euro elections cannot come too soon.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.


Notes:
(i) Results in full:
Green 2 out of 2 (100%)
UKIP 5 out of 10 (50%)
Conservatives 10 out of 28 (36%)
Lib Dems 3 out of 11 (27%)
Labour 2 out of 19 (11%)
More here:
http://www.openeurope.org.uk/research/eptransparency4.xls