Queen's Speech is a call for "More Europe" says Willmott - 2009-11-18

"Today's Queen's Speech shows the need for a strong European Union, and only Labour is supporting international solutions to international problems," said Glenis Willmott MEP, Leader of British Labour MEPs.

"Just to highlight three areas, we're very pleased that we are able to work closely with our European allies on the reform of financial services, the Energy Bill and the Equality Bill," she said.

"On the Financial Services Bill, there's no point in reforming the banks in the UK, if it means customers can simply turn to dodgy banks elsewhere in the EU, or the banks can simply set themselves up elsewhere in the EU. We need international regulations to protect consumers.  British Labour MEPs are at the heart of ensuring that EU legislation on financial services will both protect the consumer and make sure that the UK's  financial services industry is once again able to stand on its feet. The Tories are by themselves over here now they have walked out of the mainstream parties in the European Parliament.

"The new Energy Bill will bring about a financial support mechanism to demonstrate carbon capture and storage. Whether it is about gas supplies from Russia, or about the environment, again, this is something that can't be sorted by one country acting alone.

"Finally, on the Equality Bill, which will ban age discrimination outside the workplace, and introduce reporting for large employers on gender pay, again, there's no point in banning unfair practices by employers if they can simply set up another factory over the next border. It's an international question, like the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 which gives agency workers equal treatment with permanent staff on pay and holidays after 12 weeks in a job.

"However you look at it, we live in a globalised world. We must never let a party into government in the UK that believes these problems can be solved in one country alone. We have to co-operate with our international allies," she said.

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