Trip to European Parliament- Still unconvinced
by colintaylor | March 8th, 2010
Glasgow University Conservatives took a trip into what is very much enemy territory when we visited Brussels to tour the European Parliament in the last week of February. We were part of a delegation from Conservative Future Scotland and joined universities from all over the country. After a pint or two in Prestwick airport we caught our early flight to a very grey and rainy Belgium and after dropping out bags off in our hotel we, predictably, made to the nearest pub with great haste. On the recommendation of Richard we ventured to a pub suitably named ‘Le morte subite’ or ’sudden death’. It didn’t disappoint. After tasting the best beers Brussels has to offer we picked up a few cans and retired back to the hotel for the evening.
The next morning we headed off for a briefing by a press officer in the European Commission who was subjected to some intense grilling to say the least. After that we went to ‘Europa Scotland’, which is a body of civil servants representing the Scottish executive in the EU. We were all a bit sceptical to say the least about the need for such a body and remained unconvinced after this affair, with some speakers being more worthwhile than others. After a break for lunch we met at the visitor’s centre of the parliament….one of the three parliament buildings we were reliably informed.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was an address from arch-Eurosceptic Roger Helmer MEP who was scathing about the democratic deficit that existed within the EU in addition to the lack of value of money it provided. Much more moderate was Timothy Kirkhope, the leader of the Conservative delegation in the Parliament. It was good to hear such contrasting views and to be honest we were appreciative at being allowed to hear something other than what is in the pro-EU script.
Following this the group was divided between a Fisheries committee (of which Struan Stevenson was present) and a committee on the environment. I had the ‘pleasure’ of attending the latter, and can honestly say my life was none too enriched by the experience. More fun was had flicking through the different language options, with the Italian version even seeming more coherant than the English equivalent. After a few pictures in the chamber and one more briefing by the head of the budget committee we were kicked out into the Brussels night.
However Struan was very kind to treat us to dinner and spoke to us at great length on his fear over the effectiveness of the Ashton-Van Rompuy partnership and-like us- remained unsure as to who really was running the show. After a photo op in Le grand place (a truly beautiful place) the Glasgow lot, and a couple of lads from RGU and Aberdeen respectively went to a small pub which seemed flexible about closing time. Although sensing our time was coming to an end a crowd of us congregated in one of the hotel rooms, savouring cans of beer and snacks until tiredness finally caught up with us.
Apart from a missed bus on my, Stacey and Kathleen’s part we all arrived at the airport the next morning pretty much unscathed and caught our flight on time returning safely back to the Queen’s country. My own conclusion was that the EU is still an undemocratic institution that we get very little value from money from and that the trip has not convinced me otherwise. In saying that we were treated extremely well by all of the people we met there. A big thank you to our tour guides for the day who were very friendly and helpful with all our inane questions and requests. And an especially big thank you to Struan for agreeing to sponsor us for the trip. As usual he has been a great friend to not only our association but to young Conservatives all over Scotland.
Colin
P.S. Myself and Richard apologise to the lady at passport control! :p
Glasgow University Conservatives took a trip into what is very much enemy territory when we visited Brussels to tour the European Parliament in the last week of February. We were part of a delegation from Conservative Future Scotland and joined universities from all over the country. After a pint or two in Prestwick airport we caught our early flight to a very grey and rainy Belgium and after dropping out bags off in our hotel we, predictably, made to the nearest pub with great haste. On the recommendation of Richard we ventured to a pub suitably named ‘Le morte subite’ or ’sudden death’. It didn’t disappoint. After tasting the best beers Brussels has to offer we picked up a few cans and retired back to the hotel for the evening.
The next morning we headed off for a briefing by a press officer in the European Commission who was subjected to some intense grilling to say the least. After that we went to ‘Europa Scotland’, which is a body of civil servants representing the Scottish executive in the EU. We were all a bit sceptical to say the least about the need for such a body and remained unconvinced after this affair, with some speakers being more worthwhile than others. After a break for lunch we met at the visitor’s centre of the parliament….one of the three parliament buildings we were reliably informed.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was an address from arch-Eurosceptic Roger Helmer MEP who was scathing about the democratic deficit that existed within the EU in addition to the lack of value of money it provided. Much more moderate was Timothy Kirkhope, the leader of the Conservative delegation in the Parliament. It was good to hear such contrasting views and to be honest we were appreciative at being allowed to hear something other than what is in the pro-EU script.
Following this the group was divided between a Fisheries committee (of which Struan Stevenson was present) and a committee on the environment. I had the ‘pleasure’ of attending the latter, and can honestly say my life was none too enriched by the experience. More fun was had flicking through the different language options, with the Italian version even seeming more coherant than the English equivalent. After a few pictures in the chamber and one more briefing by the head of the budget committee we were kicked out into the Brussels night.
However Struan was very kind to treat us to dinner and spoke to us at great length on his fear over the effectiveness of the Ashton-Van Rompuy partnership and-like us- remained unsure as to who really was running the show. After a photo op in Le grand place (a truly beautiful place) the Glasgow lot, and a couple of lads from RGU and Aberdeen respectively went to a small pub which seemed flexible about closing time. Although sensing our time was coming to an end a crowd of us congregated in one of the hotel rooms, savouring cans of beer and snacks until tiredness finally caught up with us.
Apart from a missed bus on my, Stacey and Kathleen’s part we all arrived at the airport the next morning pretty much unscathed and caught our flight on time returning safely back to the Queen’s country. My own conclusion was that the EU is still an undemocratic institution that we get very little value from money from and that the trip has not convinced me otherwise. In saying that we were treated extremely well by all of the people we met there. A big thank you to our tour guides for the day who were very friendly and helpful with all our inane questions and requests. And an especially big thank you to Struan for agreeing to sponsor us for the trip. As usual he has been a great friend to not only our association but to young Conservatives all over Scotland.
Colin
P.S. Myself and Richard apologise to the lady at passport control! :p
