Policy Research Media Morhamburn

The European Union – that economic and political union of 27 countries, affects the lives of nearly 500 million citizens, and legislates on topics from social protection and cross border healthcare to noise pollution and energy, those issues which impact upon our daily existence. Though as the recent European Parliament elections show, public interest is low.

The new European Parliamentary term saw the return of experienced members intermingled with new faces, both invigorated with a fresh mandate by the citizens of Europe. Though the new term shot off to a rather raucous start with the election of two BNP members which created a storm among their compatriots and the media, the term also promises to be boisterous in legislative terms. Agenda highlights include the telecoms package, cross-border healthcare directive, consumer rights, an economic recovery plan and post-Copenhagen developments.

Our Scottish MEPs have dispersed themselves across a range of Committees: Hudghton (Regional Development, Fisheries and Internal Market); Lyon (Agriculture and Internal Market); Martin (Internal trade, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs); Smith (Agriculture, Culture and Constitutional Affairs); Stevenson (Fisheries and Environment); and Stihler (Internal Market and Economic Affairs). The new term will see them active on CFP reform, CAP discussions as well as the economic recovery plan, environmental policy and consumer issues.

But let’s not forget, those out in Brussels definitely aren’t able to escape it, that the new European Commission that will take shape in the coming months. The Brussels’ chat is that the incumbent looks set for another 5 year term having charmed or perhaps more accurately, the candidate-less socialists have been self-neutered in their candidacy aspirations.  Depending on developments in October in the emerald isle this could be the last ‘full’ Commission with Commissioners from each of the 27 member states.

The Barosso Commission (phase 2) has sketched an ambitious work programme encompassing smart regulation; sustainability, climate change and energy policy; innovation; new sources of growth and social cohesion; and citizen’s rights and prosperity. And let’s not forget Lisbon – either way the votes go the Commission will be spending time on this thorny question.

So why should we bother with developments at the EU level? In short the EU matters, it matters because it covers practically every aspect of our day to day lives, those minutiae details, it matters because the EU project has a momentum all of its own – our lack of involvement doesn’t mean that the EU will grind to a halt, rather it will continue to develop and progress and formulate, it just means that it will continue without our input.