low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World UK |
| UK Politics |
|
Talking Politics Diary People in Parliament A-Z of Parliament Political Links |
| Business Sci/Tech Health Education Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
MEPs' interests go online
Labour has put the information on its European website |
Labour has become the first UK party represented in the European Parliament to unveil its register of members' interests on its website.
The move was initially dismissed by the leader of the Conservative group in the parliament as "political posturing".
But shortly after Edward McMillan-Scott had spoken to BBC News Online a party spokesman said the Tory MEP leader would recommend his party take the same step after all.
The Liberal Democrats said they too were planning to publish their Euro-MPs' interest online in the near future.
The secretary general of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, Peter Coleman, said his party wanted to encourage transparency.
On the Tories' response, he said: "I would welcome it. I wouldn't want to make political capital out of it. I hope all parties will make this information available."
Until now, MEPs' interests could only be found at the seats of the parliament |
Labour's move puts pressure on other parties to make the information accessible within the United Kingdom.
The Tories' Euro manifesto commits the party to "press for greater openness in the way MEPs and officials work, thus promoting greater probity".
When first informed of the information on the Labour website, the party's Euro leader said he was pressing the European Parliament to make members' interests available in all European Union capitals - but he suggested the Labour move was essentially a gimmick.
Mr McMillan-Scott said: "I don't think it's a job of a political group to advertise itself in this way, especially given the sketchy nature of Labour members' declarations anyway. I wouldn't trust it.
"This is a bit of political posturing and what is important is that people should have access to the genuine register and this should be maintained by the parliament."
He said this ought to available on the European Parliament's internet site, but the first step would be to offer it from its offices in London, Edinburgh and elsewhere.
Edward McMillan-Scott: Seeking EU-wide register website |
"We are determined to keep in step with the rules and practices of the House of Commons because of Westminster's longer experience in these matters.
"In addition, I will be urging the European Parliament to put details of all members' interests on an EU-wide website, so that all citizens can benefit from the same standards of transparency and accountability.
"My hope is that MEPs from other political parties in the UK and across Europe will support this Conservative initiative."
The EPLP general secretary said Labour's MEPs had taken the decision to publish on their website at their first official meeting after the June European election.
"One of the problems has been that it is not available in the UK," Mr Coleman said. "Rather than have any questions asked we decided that we would make it widely available."
A spokesman for the European Parliament said moves to put all members' declarations of interests on the internet had begun.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 | PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
|
|
Internet links: |
|
 |
|
 |
European Parliamentarty Labour Party |
| |
|
|
Liberal Democrats: Federal Party |
| |
|
|
Conservatives in the European Parliament |
| |
|
|
European Parliament |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|
Links to other UK Politics stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~21~RS~)