Diana Wallis MEP backs ‘polluter pays’ principle
EU-wide laws aimed at upholding the principle that the ‘polluter pays’ for environmental damage were advanced today when Euro-MPs gave them support in a series of knife-edge votes. The 'polluter pays' principle would be put into practice through common EU rules making businesses financially liable for any damage they cause.
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Liberal Democrat MEP reselected top of the list
Diana Wallis, the sitting Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber, has been selected by party members to lead her party's list in next year's European Parliamentary elections.
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Bringing Power to the People
A Forum in York on Saturday, organised by local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis and the European Institute for Referendums and Initiatives, heard how people might be encouraged to play a more active part in politics.
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Euro MP in Malta debate
Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis, is speaking in Malta as that country is in the grip of a referendum campaign on EU membership.
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Action by British forces in Iraq - online poll
President Bush is marching his troops up to the top of the hill, with British forces in support. It is difficult to see how he can march them down again without Saddam Hussein claiming victory, which would be unacceptable to the White House.
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QUEEN’S SPEECH DUCKS EURO QUESTION – DIANA WALLIS MEP
Commenting on the Euro policy in the Queen's Speech local Liberal Democrat MEP, Diana Wallis, said:"Once again the Queen’s Speech has seen the Government ducking out, not even proposing a referendum bill to set out how the British people will decide.
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Diana Wallis MEP welcomes change in customs guidelines
Speaking after the Government announced its relaxation on Cross-Channel shoppers being allowed to bring more cheap cigarettes into Britain, Yorkshire & the Humber Euro MP, Diana Wallis said, “The Government has been pushed all the way on this by a combination of the European Commission, British courts and campaigners. This is not how it should be. In the meantime large numbers of families have suffered through the loss of their cars which has often had severe consequences on their livelihoods.”
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Response to crisis in Iraq - letter by Diana Wallis MEP to local papers
The news that Saddam Hussein has decided to allow UN weapons inspectors back into his country unconditionally must be welcome. I have been receiving requests form constituents wanting to know my views on the possibility of military action against Iraq and there is no doubt about people’s concern and worry over the situation.
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Lib Dem Euro MP - USA should open up its markets for British companies
Speaking to Colne Valley Liberal Democrats at their constituency dinner on Saturday 5th April at Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, Diana Wallis MEP said, “the USA should open up its markets for British companies in recognition of the support the UK has given in the war on Iraq. Despite all its talk of free markets the USA is one of the most protected in the world and it is getting worse. Steel tariffs are now up to 40 per cent on imports and are hitting British manufacturers, especially those in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. This move has already been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organisation. It is time the Americans took heed of international rulings like this.”
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Reform of MEPs' pay deal "sabotaged"
June 05, 2003
Pro-reform Members of the European Parliament have signalled defeat in their efforts to bring about a long awaited overhaul of MEPs pay and expenses and are set to lose out in reform vote today.
A German led coalition of anti-reform MEPs will approve a package of proposals which has been described as "indefensible" by Diana Wallis, Leader of the UK Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament.
"The proposal on the table today should not be mistaken for a genuine reform package. It is simply another attempt to sabotage this issue and kill off the reform process. Ministers from EU member states will have no choice but to throw out these proposals in their entirety and we will be back to square one."
The package was intended to end the potential for abuse of expenses and the huge difference in the salaries of MEPs from different countries. At present Euro-MPs in Italy are paid more than £90,000 each year compared to £24,000 paid to MEPs from Greece.
The plan would set the pay for all MEPs at euro 8,500 per month which, depending on the rate of exchange, would give British representatives salaries of between £3000 and £16,000 more than the £56,000 paid to members of the House of Commons.
Lib Dem MEPs were at the forefront of efforts to seek a reform consensus but the defeat of a liberal led bid to ensure that national rates of taxation could apply was the last straw. Instead a majority voted for MEPs to pay only a standard European tax.
"It would be impossible for any British MEP to justify paying lower rates of tax than the people we represent. Neither could we defend proposals that would mean that MEPs from EU accession countries would be treated differently from ourselves. The reform package has been sabotaged by a group of MEPs determined to resist change and who made an appeal based on naked greed. It is a sad day for the European Parliament."
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