MEPs back an end to ‘travelling circus’

Chris Davies MEP

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg have voted overwhelmingly in favour of never going back to the French city ever again.

While Brussels is the main place of work for Euro-MPs, an international treaty requires the European Parliament to meet in Strasbourg for twelve sessions a year.

A fleet of lorries packed with paperwork and office equipment makes the journey every month as part of a move said to cost EU taxpayers more than €200 million each year.

MEPs voted in favour of the Parliament having a single seat, and for their demand to be included within treaty negotiations.

Rochdale Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies said: “Travelling to Strasbourg every month is bonkers when most of the EU's work gets done in Brussels.

"Strasbourg is a beautiful city, and its history is a reminder of the partnership between France and Germany after so many years of war, but the arrangements are not practical or relevant in a Europe of 28 nations.

"When MPs at Westminster criticise the waste of money involved I remind them that the House of Commons, along with other national parliaments, voted to ratify the treaty that put these arrangements in place."

A change to the EU treaty requires the consent of every parliament in Europe. With France expected to oppose the measure MEPs want governments to consider the steps necessary to promote an alternative.

Davies said: "Putting cards on the table, we are going to have to bribe the French with something to get them to accept the idea that the European Parliament will no longer meet in their country."