SIGN UP TO SCRAP STRASBOURG!

10.33.12am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 17th May 2006

Sharon Bowles MEP with some of the trunks that are taken to Strasbourg once a month containing papers and other office items the MEPs need

The South East's Liberal Democrat MEP, Sharon Bowles is urging everyone in the South East to support a new petition to end the European Parliament's costly monthly trips to Strasbourg.

Each month the European Parliament packs up its offices in Brussels and heads to Strasbourg for just four days - a move that is costing EU taxpayers €200 million a year!

Sharon Bowles said "It is truly absurd that all 732 of us, with our staff and trunks full of files have to make the trip from Brussels to Strasbourg. It is a total waste of taxpayers' money not to mention the environmental impact of the carbon emissions that the whole expedition must generate. There are perfectly good facilities in use in Brussels but we continue to be forced to move an extra 600 miles each month for absolutely no reason. This travelling circus has been going on for long enough, it is time to put it to rest."

Launched last week, www.oneseat.eu gives all those outraged at the gravy train the opportunity to give a clear and hard message to the European Commission and national governments. The petition is looking for 1 million signatories before being forwarded to the European Commission.

Mrs Bowles said "There need only be one seat in Brussels and the people of the South East can help us end the traveling circus once and for all. I would urge everyone to make their protest heard and sign up to the petition today."

Notes to editors:-

www.oneseat.eu

The European Commission has expressed its support for citizens' initiatives. The proposed constitutional treaty which it supports states that one million EU citizens can call for legal action from the Commission.

Article 47 on participatory democracy in the proposed constitutional treaty for the European Union, which the European Commission supports states:-

"4. Not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Constitution."