In this month's newsletter:
- New Parliamentary Session
- Gary Titley New European Labour Leader
- Boost to British Recycling
- Free European Helpline
- 9/11 – one year on
- Party Conference – 29/9 – 3/10

PARLIAMENT BACK IN SESSION The European Parliament was back in session at the end of August, and we now have a new member of staff in the Brussels office. Tania Angelopoulos has now joined the team for the this Parliamentary year, working in the European Parliament building in conjunction with Matthew Bryant & Peter Edwards-Daem in the UK. One of the key issues that will come up under the Danish presidency of the European Union this year is the reform of the Growth & Stability Pact. This is something that Gordon Brown has been keen to change right from the start, in order that governments of countries with buoyant economies are allowed a bit more freedom to determine their levels of public spending, as long as they act responsibly.

NEW EURO LABOUR LEADER Gary Titley has been elected as the new leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party. He succeeds Simon Murphy, who has decided to stand down as an MEP at the next European elections. Gary is sure to continue the hard work that Simon put into the EPLP, raising the profile of the European Parliament in the domestic arena. I am looking forward to working with Gary, and wish Simon every success for the future. As a result of this, Gary's place on the EPLP Bureau – the executive body of the group – became vacant. I have been elected by the group to replace him, and am looking forward to further serving the interests of the Labour Party at European level in this new role.

 
BRITISH RECYCLING SET TO SOAR British manufacturers came under new pressure to recycle up to 65% of all packaging after a vote in the European Parliament this week. Under the plan, to be implemented by 2006, 1994 rules designed to limit environmental damage are to be extended and updated to tackle mounting levels of domestic waste. It could also mean local councils will have to spend more to collect rubbish separated into different recycling categories. The proposals are seen as part of a wider culture change for business and consumers alike to limit the damage the "disposable society" does to the environment, and I believe they are a positive step in our quest for sustainability.

FREE EUROPEAN HELPLINE NUMBER Europe Direct, the European Commission's call centre for citizens, has set up a new single freephone helpline number for all citizens and businesses within the European Union to deal with any enquiries they may have on any subject related to the activities of the EU. They can also order EU publications via the helpline. The number is 00800 678 91011, and enquiries will be dealt with by an agent speaking the language of the caller. The service, also available on the internet – http://europa.eu.int/europedirect – is available from 7am to 7pm Monday to Fridays, and on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.

SEPTEMBER 11 This month saw the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. A memorial service was held in the European Parliament, and the one-minute silence which was observed throughout Europe was also respected within the building. The shocking images that were reprised on our TV screens over the last few weeks serve as a chilling reminder that, while huge security measures have been taken at national and European levels, the threat of further attacks still remains. For me personally, the anniversary brought back memories of my visit to Washington on that day as part of the European Parliament's US delegation. Whilst the attacks happened in the US, the shockwaves resonated for a long time across the world. It is crucial, therefore, that the rest of the world, through the United Nations, works together to counter the forces of terrorism of this scale.

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE Many of you will soon be packing your cases for the trip up to Blackpool at the end of the month. I will be there, along with Peter and Matthew, my two UK-based members of staff. We have set up a special phone number for conference week, which delegates & visitors can call us on if they wish to meet and discuss anything whilst in Blackpool. You can call it on 07986 778693 – please leave a message if nobody is able to answer. You can also leave messages for me at the EPLP stand, which will be on stands 12-13 in the Olympia section of the Winter Gardens. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Be Sociable, Share!

•