New Year Message from Diana Wallis

12.00.00am GMT Sun 31st Dec 2000

The turn of the year is a moment pinpointed in time, a turning point, allowing us to take stock before we move on to the New Year.

For Europe the old year ended with the Treaty of Nice. A positive event in that it has secured the transition towards the further enlargement of the Union by 2004, but in terms of process an awful demonstration of old style nation-state, inter-governmental politics. In a French seaside town there were men in dark suits, sliding in and out of limousines, conducting some sort of market style haggling over the future size and shape of Europe's institutions. All very remote from people in the valleys, dales and cities of Yorkshire and the Humber.

For the New Year there can be no doubt that we have to find a new way to do our politics in Europe that is closer to the people we serve. That, I believe, has always been the Parliament's role, but in Nice the Parliament was sidelined again - and with it the people we, as parliamentarians, represent.

However, amidst the hangover-like aftermath of Nice there is an opportunity, a commitment, from Europe's nation-state governments to look again at Europe's 'constitution' before the end of the year. Alongside this, an intention from the European Commission to publish a White Paper (a discussion document) in April on how we 'do' Europe, about governance from parish to European level. The regional level will be key in this discussion. In this country my fellow MEPs and I are the only elected representatives with a democratic mandate at regional level, otherwise the region is run by doubtless able, but faceless government bureaucrats and appointees.

I have seen in Brussels how regions from other countries are able to have real influence, and now devolution in Scotland and Wales has unleashed an amazing enthusiasm and spirit, very much evident at their operations in Europe. The new Yorkshire and Humber office will be officially opened in Brussels in February. I hope it will give impetus to the Campaign for Yorkshire. My wish in this New Year is to see all the people of our wonderful region have a full voice in the affairs of Yorkshire & the Humber both here at home and in Europe.

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