Breakthrough on statute for MEPs at last

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 17th Dec 2003

"After years of debate and disagreement, Members of the European Parliament have at last achieved a breakthrough on the single statute for MEPs. We now have a real chance to deliver a success story for reform in Europe before the end of this mandate", says Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, deputy leader of the UK Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament.

Speaking after the European Parliament backed amended proposals for a single system for the working conditions, pay and expenses of MEPs in order to break the deadlock with national governments, Sarah Ludford said:

"We have been debating this issue for years without success, while the reputation of this House is dragged through the mud by an expenses system which is opaque and open to abuse. At last we have an opportunity to put this behind us and move to a system which is transparent and equitable. This success may seem small, but the implications for the good name of European parliamentary democracy are huge."

"When we face Europe's citizens in elections next June we could either have a Parliament with its own house in order and its members treated and respected equally, or we can continue with the current disgraceful muddle which leaves us all open to ridicule. Parliament has today shown it is willing to move on this issue in order to reach agreement with governments - now it is up to the Council to show willing and indicate by January that it can accept these revised proposals."

Baroness Ludford also recalled the long-standing commitment of the European Liberal Democrat Group to achieving a single statute for MEPs and a reformed expenses system:

"The European Liberal Democrats have led the campaign for a single statute for MEPs, even in the dark days when reform seemed impossible and we were in a minority. The compromises proposed today were those that we advocated back in July, and we are delighted that we succeeded in forcing this issue to a vote on the floor of the house."