SOUTH EAST MEP WILL HOLD BLAIR TO HIS COMMITMENTS OVER EUROPE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Jul 2005

On the day of the launch of the UK Presidency Sharon Bowles, Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East today vowed to hold the Prime Minister to his commitments over the European Union. "Tony Blair told MEPs last week that he is a passionate pro-European. He needs to keep his word by joining the LibDems in our long advocacy of reform."

"We have long argued for the kind of reforms that Tony Blair is now advocating that will make Europe more effective in meeting global challenges on the one hand and restoring confidence in its citizens on the other."

Sharon Bowles outlined 3 basic reforms that the British Prime Minister and incoming President of the EU can implement to address the alienation of European public:

1.Transparency of decisions made by the Council of Ministers. "Europe can no longer be built on secrecy and spin. If people do not understand what is happening we cannot reproach them for rejecting it" said Watson. "I welcome Mr Blair's commitment in his replies that he would give serious consideration to this during his Presidency. We may at last be making progress in democratising Europe by opening up its most closed institution."

2. Parliamentary scrutiny. "National parliaments need to be involved more closely in scrutinising ministers when they return from meetings in Brussels and holding them to account. The European Parliament must also be respected when it comprehensively rejects draft laws that infringe citizens' civil liberties."

3. Wider public debate. "One good thing from the current constitutional crisis is the real debate that is now taking place on the future of Europe. This must be continuous and serious if we are to build a Europe based on the aspirations of its people and not ignoring them."

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