Kirkhope and Harbour comment on Michel Barnier's appointment
Posted, November 27, 2009 @ 00:00
Kirkhope and Harbour comment on Michel Barnier's appointment
Timothy Kirkhope, Conservative leader in Brussels and Malcolm Harbour, Chairman of the European Parliament's internal market committee, have responded to President Barroso's announcement of European Commission portfolios, including Michal Barnier's appointment as Internal Market commissioner.
Timothy Kirkhope said:
"The government ought to have known that by taking the High Representative role they would no longer have so much influence on the economic direction of Europe.
"Given the current economic crisis, Britain's best interests could have been much better served by taking one of the top economic portfolios.
"The loss of an Anglo-Saxon voice in the commission's top economic team is of concern given the recent spate of over prescriptive economic and financial legislation to come from Brussels."
Malcolm Harbour said:
"Mr Barnier has already been contributing a great deal as a member of the parliament's internal market committee.
"In the European Parliament's hearings, we will make it clear that we expect him to prioritise the completion of the single market and the creation of new opportunities for business. Some of Mr Sarkozy's past comments on the single market have been of concern and we will make it clear that the single market commissioner must stand up for open and free markets.
"Clearly we would have preferred a British Commissioner in a top economic role but as that was not possible I intend to work constructively with Mr Barnier and his staff on areas where we agree, and I am sure there will be vigorous debate when we do not."