Newham Borough Liberal Democrats

Sarah's bulletin: 25 September 2009

This week I am writing to you after a week in sunny Bournemouth (it really was!) rather than the usual Brussels or Strasbourg. I've been of course at the Liberal Democrat party conference, enjoying the annual get-together of Lib Dems for debates and fringe events.

Highlighting the European policy dimension

I am pleased to say that both of the amendments I put down to motions at Conference, with the help of Islington local party, were passed with overwhelming majorities. These were both designed to emphasise the importance of the European context in relevant policies. As an MEP, I always try to ensure that the party does not forget about what is going on at European level when formulating policy.

The first amendment concerned the "Thriving in a Globalised World - a strategy for Britain" motion and stressed how our membership of the EU has allows us to respond to globalisation more effectively. The EU is both a springboard and preparation for globalisation, and a safety net. Its free trade single market is a laboratory for globalisation, and at the same time the security of a 500-million strong home market gives us shelter from the storms of the outside world.

My second amendment concerned the "Demanding the truth on torture" motion and insisted on accountability for the role of the dozen or so European states that were involved in extraordinary rendition in the 'war on terror'.

You can read more coverage of my speeches here.

Meeting Turkish MP Nursuna Memecan

Continuing my long-held interest in Turkey, I met with Turkish member of parliament Nursuna Memecan, a member of the Justice and Development AK party. It was a highly interesting and fruitful meeting, and we covered a lot of ground. We discussed the need for wholehearted EU support for Turkish democracy, the issue of Turkish-Kurdish identity and the issue of secularism within the AK. Nursuna is a member of the ALDE (Liberal and Democrats for Europe) group in the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, the sister group to ALDE in the European Parliament.

Nursuna told us about an excellent new policy initiative in the very poor South Eastern part of Turkey. The government provides financial support to encourage children to go to school, and does so through transfers directly to mothers. This is not only effective in making sure that the money is really spent on the child, but in addition helps women's independence as the money is paid directly into the woman's bank account. This means women previously dependent on their husbands have to open bank accounts in their own names, empowering them to gain their own financial independence, and earning them greater respect from said husbands! An example of how a seemingly small move can make a big difference to people's lives.

JUSTICE and a British bill of rights

I also had the privilege of chairing a fringe event discussing the possibility of a British Bill of Rights. The event was sponsored jointly by JUSTICE, whose council I sit on, and the Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association, of which I am also a member. It was a thought-provoking event and we had a number of very good contributions from David Howarth MP, Roger Smith OBE and Alistair Webster QC. The overall conclusion was that, unless it is part of a written constitution, a Bill of Rights risks being a Lab/Tory poly to undermine the Human Rights Act.

Conservatives under fire from their own faithful about Barroso vote

Eurosceptic novelist Frederick Forsyth, writing in the Daily Express, has expressed fury that Tory MEPs' votes were pivotal in securing Barroso an absolute majority of 382 votes out of a total of 736 MEPs. He has a point: after all, Barroso's top pledge is to achieve ratification of the 'federalist' Treaty of Lisbon that the Tories irrationally hate! It's very funny to see the Europhobes at each others' throats and instructive to see the hypocrisy and inconsistency of the Tories in and about Europe.

The fight against climate change

Liberal Democrats passed a conference motion encouraging "developed countries to commit $160 billion in each year of the period 2013-2017 to assist with mitigation and adaptation". Once again, the Lib Dems are leading the way. We were joined by President Barroso who has discarded diplomatic courtesies and challenged other developed countries head-on to come up with the necessary cash to help less developed countries cope with climate change. Let us hope that these promises become reality in Copenhagen this December.

Boycotts on Israel

I have publicly opposed boycotts of Israel and will continue to do so. It is reported that Spain has barred a group of Israeli scientists from taking part in a US-sponsored solar design competition because the team's university is based in the occupied West Bank. The ministry claims to be applying the policy of the European Union but I am aware of no such policy, on the contrary the EU is seeking ways to deepen economic ties with Israel. This is not because there are no criticisms to be made of Israeli policy, indeed there are plenty, although I think the recent UN report was not balanced. I have also supported clear labelling on the products of illegal settlements, though not import bans since, however unwillingly, many Palestinians earn a living there. But we have to take a strategic view, and Israeli expertise will in the long assist economic development and scientific advancement in the whole region. While the search goes on for a peace process to solve the Israel-Palestine conflict, boycotts are counter-productive.

LBC Radio

On Wednesday evening, immediately after Nick Clegg's speech at the close of conference, I appeared on London-based LBC radio's "parliamentary hour" alongside Will Straw from Left Foot Forward and James Brokenshire MP. We covered a large range of topics - from Nick's speech, the Baroness Scotland affair and even the - ahem - attractiveness of Eric Pickles, the Conservative party chairman who last week unsuccessfully tried to 'love-bomb' our party!

So it was all in all a busy but enjoyable week. I will be back in Brussels next week to present my report on Balkans visa liberalisation to the Foreign Affairs committee and my report on rights to translation and interpretation in criminal proceedings abroad to the civil liberties committee, so full steam ahead!

Best regards,

Sarah Ludford