Open Europe press summary: 12 January 2009

Europe

New poll shows 64 percent of voters want looser relationship with EU
A new YouGov poll for the Taxpayers' Alliance and Global Vision has found that almost two thirds of voters want a significant loosening of Britain's ties with the EU. It found that 16 percent of voters want Britain to withdraw from the EU, while 48 percent would like to see a much looser relationship, with the Government taking back powers from Brussels and ending the supremacy of the European Court of Justice over British law. 22 percent are in favour of keeping Britain's full membership "on current terms".

64 percent said we should not join the euro, while 24 percent said we should. The poll also shows that ten percent of those who would vote Conservative in a general election said they will back UKIP in the European election, compared with only 2 percent of Labour voters. 35 percent would vote Conservative in the European Parliament elections, compared with 29 percent for Labour, 15 percent for the Lib Dems, 7 percent for UKIP, and 5 percent for the Greens.

In the Sunday Telegraph, Iain Martin announced a new campaign organised jointly by the Taxpayers' Alliance and Global Vision, "which aims to give greater prominence to the drawbacks of the EU."

Meanwhile, a new ComRes poll commissioned by the Campaign for an Independent Britain, shows that 75 percent of people think the EU is out of touch with voters, 65 percent think the UK gets an unfair deal from the EU, 75 percent think UK politicians do not stand up for their interests in Europe, 71 percent think there should be a referendum on whether the UK remains in the EU, and 83 percent disagree that EU law should override national law.
Sunday Telegraph Iain Martin Irish Independent Telegraph: Hannan blog Tax Payers Alliance

Poll on second Lisbon vote in Ireland shows 55 per cent would vote 'yes'; Anonymous British MP: "Irish had become extremely arrogant"The Irish Independent reports on a poll by Quantum Research which shows that 55 percent of the Irish now say they will vote Yes in a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. This is up 16 percent compared to an earlier poll in December, while 37 percent (down seven percent) say they will vote No, and 15 percent are undecided (24 percent in December).

Commenting on the poll, Liberation journalist Jean Quatremer says on his Coulisses de Bruxelles blog that a British Labour MP told him last week: "The Irish had become extremely arrogant, believing they owed their success only to themselves and not to Europe. The crisis has reminded them to what extent they were dependent and that could work in favour of Lisbon." Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports that the Czech Environment Minister Martin Bursik has called on Irish Green Party members to rally behind Lisbon.

In a letter to the Guardian Richard Corbett MEP argues that to call Ireland's second referendum on Lisbon "anti-democratic' and bullying is nonsense."Irish Independent Coulisses de Bruxelles EUobserver Irish Times Guardian-Letters

Anti-Lisbon party launches in Czech RepublicA new political party dedicated to campaigning against the Lisbon Treaty in the Czech Republic will be launched today, the Irish Times reports. The party has been named Free Citizens' Party and its founder, Petr Mach, is an economist and close associate of Czech President Vaclav Klaus. The party is being set up because Mach believes the ruling ODS party in the Czech Republic have "betrayed their basic principles" by supporting a treaty that they campaigned against in the last election.

Mach has ruled out adopting the Libertas brand to compete in the European elections, saying that the proposal of Declan Ganley to set up branches of the Irish anti-Lisbon group Libertas in every EU state was unlikely to work because there was no single European "demos" or public opinion, while adding: "In principle I think we both share the same goal . . . so it would be practical if he would accept our party as part of a loose alliance, but I have not received a reply."

Ganley will reportedly now try to set up his own Libertas branch in the Czech Republic without Mach."Petr Mach is a Eurosceptic and I am not," Ganley said yesterday, while expressing confidence in his ability to run candidates in the Czech Republic in June. An opinion poll had earlier found that a new party connected to Libertas, and which campaigned against Lisbon, could attract up to 22 per cent of the vote in the upcoming elections in the Czech Republic.

Also, Javno reports that Declan Ganley met Polish right-wing politicians this weekend at a rally to try to create a Polish branch of Libertas. During the rally, the leaders of three small Polish parties signed a pledge to cooperate "in support of Poland's sovereignty in the European Union". Irish Times Javno EUobserver

Ukraine agrees to sign fresh deal following breakdown in negotiations last night;
Slovakia has said it will restart Soviet-era nuclear generator
A deal was brokered on Sunday night to restore gas supplies, but broke down only a few hours later as Moscow declared the deal void because of the late addition of a declaration by Ukraine stating, "Ukraine does not have any debt vis-a-vis Gazprom and has fixed its financial settlements for all consumed gas", reports EUobserver. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev objected to the additions, calling them a "mockery of common sense."

Deutsche Welle reports that Ukraine has now agreed to sign a fresh deal without the stipulations, following EU negotiations with Moscow and Kiev. Russia had said it would not restart gas supplies until a valid deal was signed. The deal will allow EU, Ukrainian and Russian observers to monitor gas flows, and Russia has said it will not turn gas supplies on until these monitors are in place and a deal has been signed.

According to Reuters, Gazprom and Ukraine have said it will take at least 36 hours before gas reaches EU borders after flows resume, which means most countries will not get Russian gas before Wednesday.

Slovakia has said it will restart its Soviet-era nuclear generator, which was shut down in accordance with its EU Accession Treaty, following the recent disruption to its supplies, reports EurActiv. The Slovakian Prime Minister said on Saturday that the plant will resume production this week and added, "We are aware that this is a violation of the accession agreement, but this is happening at a time of crisis". The Times reports that a spokeswoman in Brussels said that the accession agreement included a provision to restart the plant in case of national emergency, and Slovakia would formally request this at a crisis meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels today.

The Guardian reports that energy groups are warning that plans to help Britain secure its energy supplies by raising £600m for the Gateway project to build a gas storage facility beneath the Irish Sea are in doubt as a result of the credit crunch.

In an interview with EurActiv, Bulgarian Socialist MEP Evgeni Kirilov has argued that the current gas crisis has shown that the Commission should take the lead in implementing the Nabucco pipeline project. Meanwhile, the WSJ reports that some industry analysts have said that the motivation for the gas dispute may be to push alternative Russian-backed pipeline projects, such as the Nord Stream and South Stream pipelines.
WSJ WSJ 2 Independent Guardian Guardian 2 Telegraph-leader EUobserver Deutsche Welle Weekend FT Weekend FT-Analysis Times Telegraph Express Irish Times IHT FT FT: Leader Reuters BBC FT: Brussels blog Times 2 EurActiv Guardian 3 Observer Independent on Sunday EurActiv Irish Times

Revolt over possible return of Ken Clarke to shadow cabinet
The Mail on Sunday reported that the Conservatives' biggest donor, businessman Stuart Wheeler, has threatened to stop giving money to the party if former Chancellor Ken Clarke is recalled by David Cameron and carries on calling for Britain to give more power to the EU. Speaking out amid claims that William Hague has threatened to veto a comeback by Mr Clarke unless he promises not to meddle in European issues, Mr Wheeler warned that "disruptive" Mr Clarke could split the party unless Mr Cameron reined him in. He also said: "I am alarmed that David Cameron feels there are many things more important than Europe. We cannot allow it to go on increasing its powers over us."

The Observer reported on "a concerted campaign to block" Ken Clarke's return to the shadow cabinet which kicked off as Lord Tebbit said Mr Clarke was too "lazy" and would "split the party" down the middle. He said his return would be a "nightmare" and could seriously damage the Conservatives' chances at both the European elections in June and a general election. Former Minister David Heathcoat-Amory joined the campaign saying, "I would be surprised if he came back into the shadow cabinet, given his strident criticism of party policy on Europe."

Meanwhile, Euractiv reports that the Conservative Party continues to face internal battles over whether it should split from EPP-ED European Parliament group, with many Conservative MEPs fearing that leaving the EPP-ED could potentially diminish their influence and reduce their power in the European Parliament.
Mail on Sunday Observer Guardian Guardian-Ashley Telegraph FT Mirror EurActiv

UK MEPs to receive £20,000 pay rise
Saturday's Mail reported that UK MEPs are to see their pay rise almost £20,000 to £82,000, making them higher paid than MPs, in a deal that was designed to end the disparities in salaries of MEPs from different countries. From July they will be paid in euros, which will result in the pay rise under the current exchange rate.
Mail

Head of CPS calls for safeguards over super-database
The Government has announced plans to oblige all internet service providers (ISPs) in the UK to start collecting and storing details of all their customers' emails and other electronic communications for a year in order to fulfil the terms of the EU Data Retention Directive. The Independent reports that EU law says that phone companies and internet service providers must store communications data for 12 months, but the Government wants to divert that information to a government-controlled database. According to the Independent the database could cost up to £12bn, while Computer Weekly reports that ISPs hope to recoup the estimated £75m cost of the scheme from the Government.

The Head of the Crown Prosecution Service has warned that the plans must include proper safeguards to protect the public from abuses of privacy. Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the Government, police and security agencies should only be allowed to collect and use that data where there was a clear "legitimate purpose" that justified the invasion of an individual's privacy. The Guardian reports that Starmer's apparent support for the plans marks a stark contrast to his predecessor, Sir Ken Macdonald QC, who warned last month that any such database would prove a "hellhouse" of personal ­private information.
Independent Guardian Open Europe blog

Poorer regions lose out on EU regeneration cash
The FT notes that some English regions will lose out on grants from the EU's Structural Funds. The falling pound has created windfall regeneration cash which regions had up until December 2008 to claim. The UK took up the option for the devolved regions but rejected it for England - a move that has been subject to criticism in Merseyside and other poorer regions. However, a Treasury spokesman said the devolved regions had specifically asked for the funds, and added that there were costs in claiming and accounting for the money and implementing projects. The Commission said that the UK had claimed 14.8bn euros of its 16.4bn euros for the 2000-2006 financial period.

Meanwhile, Wyn Grant writes on his Common Agricultural Policy blog that a study which argues that the CAP could just as well be paid from national budgets as the EU budget in terms of its added value has influenced Budget Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaité, who has questioned whether the CAP is still a "common policy".
FT Common Agricultural Policy blog

Open Europe's new research on the cost of EU propaganda is covered on the Spectator's Coffee House blog.
Spectator-Coffee House blog New Europe

Labour peer to make fortune out of rules on eco-bulbs
The Mail on Sunday reported that Lord Barnett, a former Labour Cabinet Minister, is expecting to make a fortune from the Government's decision to phase out traditional light bulbs and replace them with a low-energy version. It reported that Lord Barnett is a major investor in a company that stands to reap massive profits as the new-style bulbs are recycled. Lord Barnett said the Government's implementation of an EU directive on the disposal of hazardous waste products, including mercury-filled bulbs, was, "as anticipated, bringing increased sales every month." The Government has adopted an accelerated phase-out programme which means the old incandescent lights will disappear faster here than in other EU countries.
Mail on Sunday

Government warns it may not be able to block controversial EU directive on pesticides
The Sunday Express reported that the Farming Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has admitted that he is "up against it" today in efforts to block new EU rules the Government opposes on pesticides. Farmers have warned that thousands of acres of land may have to be abandoned if the European Parliament approves a crackdown on pesticides, which could make potatoes, carrots and onions impossible to grow.
No link

Government plans for 'eco-towns' could be rejected under EU law;
Funding cuts for renewables as UK unlikely to meet EU targets
On Saturday the Telegraph reported that the Government's plans for up to ten new environmentally friendly 'eco-towns' could be rejected under EU law. The article noted that William Sheate, an expert in environmental assessment at Imperial College London and advisor to the European Commission, said the Government's strategic environmental assessment fails to comply with European rules.

Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that the Government is to close a key support programme for renewable energies, "creating a funding black hole that the industry has warned could lead to thousands of green job losses". The article notes that Britain "is almost the worst performer in Europe" on renewable energy. It produces 5% of its electricity and less than 2% of its total energy from renewables. The Government has committed itself to an EU target of 15% of total energy from green sources by 2020. Britain is thought by many analysts to have little chance of meeting its target.
Telegraph Independent Guardian Telegraph 2

German government to announce 100bn euro "Germany fund" to boost business
The FT reports that Angela Merkel will today adopt the 50bn euro stimulus package announced earlier in the month. In addition, Merkel's Christian Democratic Union has announced that the German government has agreed to take stakes in any large industrial companies facing insolvency because of credit shortages. The 100bn euros "Germany fund" will issue credit guarantees to help businesses raise debt.
FT

Tony Blair is re-emerging as a possible choice to be the EU's first full-time president, as some argue that recent international crises have reinforced the case for having a high-profile international personality in the job.
FT European Voice EurActiv

Government's Heathrow plans illegal under EU law
The Independent on Sunday reported that Heathrow's proposed third runway is unlikely ever to be built because it will fall foul of new European pollution laws, according to environmentalists and senior government advisers.
Guardian Guardian-Milmo Independent on Sunday

Motor industry offered hope of state help
The Weekend FT reported that Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary, signalled a move towards state support for manufacturers' finance arms on Friday, in an attempt to aid the beleaguered car industry.
Weekend FT

FT: We should be wary of Sarkozy's desire for protectionism
A leader in the Weekend FT looking at French President Nicolas Sarkozy's spell in the EU Presidency noted that "the Sarkozy remedies on, for instance, post-crisis regulation should be very closely scrutinised. This neo-Gaullist liberal wants to shield domestic reform behind reinforced walls of EU protectionism."

Meanwhile, the WSJ argues that "a wave of protectionism is swelling around the world" with industries lining up "in Beijing, Brussels and Washington for import protection." The article notes that the World Bank forecasts that global trade will shrink by 2.1% this year, the first decline since 1982.
Weekend FT-Leader WSJ-Outlook

Britain 'disappears from map of Europe'
The Czech Republic has commissioned a sculpture for the Brussels building of the Council of Ministers, representing the "clichés and stereotypes' of each of the EU's 27 member states by different national artists", reports the Telegraph. France is represented by a map of France covered with the inscription "Strike!" and the space for Britain is left empty. EU officials expressed concern, saying "This is very provocative for an official building and does not seem to have been properly discussed in the appropriate forum".
Telegraph IHT Telegraph: Waterfield blog

Kaletsky: 2009 could be the year eurozone is tested to destruction
In the Times, Anatole Kaletsky argues that "If 2008 was the year in which the Anglo-Saxon economic model was tested to destruction, in 2009 it may well be the turn of the European single-currency zone."

In the FT, David Marsh of London & Oxford Capital Markets looks at the coming challenges for the eurozone, noting that "Battle lines are being drawn between the 'stability first' principles of Europe's strongest economy, Germany, and the more activist growth policies favoured by France."
FT Times-Kaletsky

The News of the World reported on EU plans to increase its control over maternity leave, which would involve 'life-partners' being given more benefits at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds.
No link

On Saturday the Guardian reported that Immigration Minister Phil Woolas has called for changes to the 'outdated' Geneva Convention, arguing that it predates mass migration and leads to abuse of the asylum system.
Guardian

The Times reports that local authorities and charities are using Government grants to fund the return of homeless eastern European immigrants who have been unable to find work and cannot access benefits in the UK.
Times

The Mail on Sunday reported that the Czech Presidency has put forward proposals to slash the burden of red-tape on small and medium-sized firms in the EU.
No link

An article in the Irish Independent reports that a leading academic expert, Shane Whelan, has argued that a 2007 European Court of Justice ruling means that the Irish state must take over the running of pensions in private sector companies.
No link

On his BBC blog Mark Mardell notes that the Icelandic government is due to hold a special conference later this month to discuss its policy towards the EU, with increasing calls for EU membership among business groups and the population.
BBC: Mardell blog

A leader in the Sun describes the plan to make amateur sea anglers register their catches under new EU legislation as "lunacy".
Sun: Leader

The Express reports that the EU is planning to ban energy intensive plasma screen televisions. Plans for the new regulations, setting minimum energy standards, are expected to be announced in the spring.
Mail

UK

The Sunday Express reported that David Cameron is preparing the Conservatives for a snap spring election.
No link