Lib Dems launch Euro campaign: Brighton and Hove to be key battleground

11.50.43am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th May 2004

Lib Dems Launch Euro Campaign On Track Record Of Reform Of The EU: Brighton and Hove key battleground

South East MEP Chris Huhne launched the Liberal Democrats campaign for the European elections on 10th June with the

claim that only the Liberal Democrat MEPs could be trusted to change the European Union for the better. 'Liberal Democrat

MEPs make a difference, and Tory and Labour MEPs just don't' he said.

In a keynote speech at the Liberal Democrats regional conference, Mr Huhne said that the region's Tory MEPs

had been responsible for the worst defeat of reforming legislation of the entire parliament from 1999 to 2004 when Daniel

Hannan MEP and Nirj Deva MEP failed to turn up to vote on a three line whip.

'The local Tory MEPs are all mouth when it comes to defending British interests, but on crucial votes they do not turn up' said

Mr Huhne. 'Only Liberal Democrats can be trusted to change Europe because we want it to work well'.

Nor could Labour MEPs be trusted since they often took an 'Old Labour' line which set its face against economic reform. For

example, they backed a Commission attempt to force all British workers to limit working hours to 48 hours a week even if

employee and employer voluntarily agreed. They also voted down liberalisation of EU ports that would have saved UK

traders millions of pounds a year.

Mr Huhne said that the Liberal Democrats would campaign on their record of action, and promise more. 'We are the most

effective reformers because we want europe to work. We oppose EU action unless there are clear advantages, because we

believe in local decision-making. We are the most realistic environmentalists, because we back ambitious EU law on air and

water pollution'. (Full speech available on www.chrishuhnemep.org)

City Council Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Paul Elgood pledged an active campaign in the Brighton and Hove. He said: 'This is

the first national test of opinion since the Iraq War, we are proud of our stance on the war.

'We are already taking our positive European message to the streets of Brighton and Hove. We will be putting our case to

local residents and ensure a high profile campaign in key areas.'