Local MEP angry at failure of campaign to end European Parliaments costly Strasbourg trips.

11.14.00am GMT Fri 9th Jan 2009

LibDem Euro MP Liz Lynne has said she is deeply disappointed that a campaign by MEPs to end the European Parliament's monthly trip to Strasbourg is set to fail.

The West Midlands MEP was among the 235 who signed a Written Declaration tabled in the Parliament that called on all MEPs to support the end of the traveling circus which costs €203 million a year.

Unfortunately, for the Written Declaration to force a debate on the issue would require 393 signatures, half of the total number of MEPs, before the January 15th deadline.

The European Parliament does not have the power itself to end the two seat agreement, as the rules stating that the Parliament must go to Strasbourg 12 times a year were created by the Member States and can only be changed by the unanimous consent of the governments of all the EU countries.

However, it was hoped that the Parliament's declaration would put pressure on the Member States to find a solution to the problem.

Speaking today Liz, who is a member of the EP- Reform Group, which campaigns for a more transparent and democratic European Parliament, said:

"I am very disappointed that so many of my fellow MEPs have chosen not to sign the Written Declaration making a stand against this ridiculous waste of taxpayers money.

"It is ludicrous situations like this that give the EU a bad name and prevent it from having the support it needs to fulfill its true goals of combating climate change and human rights abuses, creating a free, fair and open market within Europe, and being a driving force behind a more prosperous and just society."

ENDS

Notes:

• More information on the EP- Reform Group can be found at: http://www.ep-reform.eu/index.php

Statistics:

• Figures are based on 2007 estimates that the Strasbourg Parliament costs €203 million per year.