Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrats | Ross Skye & Lochaber

Kennedy: British Presidency Of The EU Has Been A Non-Event

Following an informal meeting with European Liberal Democrat Prime Ministers ahead of the Hampton Court summit, Charles Kennedy criticised the lack of progress made during the first four months of the British Presidency of the European Union. Mr Kennedy said:

“So far the British Presidency has been a non-event. Tony Blair has just two months to turn this perception around."

Mr Kennedy challenged the Prime Minister to speed up his progress and to tackle the issues at the heart of the European debate.

“He could and should get moving on the drive to open Europe up and create a single market in services.

“He could and should take the initiative to open up EU lawmaking so that we British citizens can see what is being said by our ministers behind closed doors in Brussels.

“He could and should promote a reformed EU that is decentralised, transparent and accountable and which protects human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law.”