http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Simon James en-GB Simon James http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Simon James 2010-03-10T13:45+00:00 United Kingdom http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/news/000006/constitution_or_amending_treaty.html With the European Council meeting going on in Lisbon at the moment the debate continues to rage over whether or not the amending treaty under discussion is really still the old Constitution. The fact is that the two are very similar. What has been abandoned is the idea of replacing all the previous treaties with a new one and some of the symbols of statehood. However regardless of this it does remain true that this is one of the most minor amending treaties in the history of the EU so should we have a referendum on it? 2007-10-19T08:20+01:00 http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/news/000005/eu_action_to_cut_car_carbon.html As part of the drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector the EU is to make €470 million available for research into hydrogen powered vehicles. The move follows pressure from the European Parliament after 420 MEPs put their names to a written declaration demanding more action in this area. However in order for this to have the desired effect on our greenhouse gas emissions this hydrogen has to in future be produced without carbon dioxide emissions (at present it is generated from fossil fuels but it can be produced from water using carbon free electricity). 2007-10-12T15:53+01:00 http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/news/000004/new_seats_for_old.html The European Parliament has now confirmed the new allocation of MEPs for each country following EU expansion. This leaves the UK with five less seats which is likely to mean that London will lose a seat going from the current 9 to 8. The reduction is necessary because the parliament is limited to 750 MEPs regardless of the number of member states. While this does make it more difficult for the Liberal Democrats to gain a second seat here in London with good campaign looking to build on our traditional strengths in community politics and the environment we can still do it. While the new deal still leaves the smaller countries over represented overall the new seat allocations more broadly represent the size of each Member State which is to be welcomed. 2007-10-07T08:54+01:00 http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/news/000003/dont_forget_the_hustings_for_the_selection_of_londons_european_candidates_and_mayoral_candidate.html The hustings are today (6 October 2007) at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG. The hustings start around 1:30pm and will last until about 6pm. I hope as many Lib Dem members as possible are able to be there. 2007-10-05T22:32+01:00 http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/news/000002/environmental_accounting__improving_local_councils_green_performance_across_europe.html Environmental accounting sounds like a bizarre concept but its something that can help organisations such as local councils to improve their environmental performance. The system basically provides a way to put a monetary value on an organisation's actions and systems so that in times where reducing the cost of services is the priority the environment doesn't get forgotten. The UK lags behind the rest of Europe both in implementing systems such as this but also we have one of the most financially restricted local authority sectors in Europe. This is the reason I was keen to take a resolution through the Congress of the Council of Europe on this. I'm now working to try to get Councils in the UK to start taking some of these ideas up. Contact me if you want more information on this. 2007-10-03T09:00+01:00 http://www.simon4europe.org.uk/news/000001/manifesto_launch_recognising_the_liberal_democrats_euro_strengths.html Kingston Councillor Simon James has launched his manifesto as a candidate for selection to the Liberal Democrats list for London. In the manifesto, Simon says "What the European Parliament deals with are issues such as the environment and consumer protection - areas which we have championed and that we lead on in councils across the country." 2007-08-29T17:12+01:00