'One Seat' Campaign gets its day of democracy

12.00.00am GMT Tue 26th Feb 2008

Sharon with the office trunks that are packed up for each Strasbourg week.

Sharon Bowles Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East has welcomed the first ever citizens' initiative which was the subject of animated debate in the European Parliament's Petitions Committee yesterday.

The 'Oneseat' petition has demanded that the European Parliament be based in a single seat to end the current situation where it is located in both Brussels and Strasbourg. The cost of transport for MEPs, assistants and documents between the two cities has been estimated at 200 million Euros (£130 million).

The petition was launched in May 2006 and by September it had reached one million signatures. On Monday the 'Oneseat' campaign made history by becoming the first citizens' initiative to be heard in the Petitions Committee. The Lisbon Treaty will further extend the power of citizens' initiatives and force European institutions to respond to the demands of their constituents.

Commenting, Sharon said:

"This is a wake up call to the Commission and member states that this situation cannot continue. This striking act of democracy shows that the people of Europe will no longer accept such wastefulness.

"Sadly, Strasbourg is no longer a hopeful symbol of Post-War Reconstruction but a negative symbol of EU waste. Therefore, I urge the constituents of South East England to add their voice to this powerful petition and act as a stimulus for reform.

"When the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, examples of direct democracy will become more common and more powerful. This represents an important step in the progress of European Union democracy

"Whether we are allowed to remove Strasbourg is a matter for the member states who exercise a veto. However, the Parliament is intent on pressuring them to respond to the will of the people".

For more information on the 'Oneseat' campaign please see http://www.oneseat.eu/.

ENDS