New disputes framework will boost trade and help consumers
Posted,3/12/2013 3:00:00 PM
Conservative MEPs today welcomed new measures approved by the European Parliament to create a simple, speedy and inexpensive framework for solving disputes over online sales and trade across the EU. Ashley Fox MEP was lead Conservative negotiator for the legislation on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and successfully proposed many amendments to improve the package. He is happy that successful existing national schemes will be respected and that the raft or measures will be an overall boost to trade as well as to consumer confidence. The South West MEP told the Parliament, sitting in Strasbourg, that systems such as the UK's highy-effective Financial Services scheme, would not be endangered. He said: "Indeed, the ADR directive and the ODR regulation will complement such schemes, not replace them. "Procedural rules have been made flexible to respect existing systems and member states have more discretion on implementation." "ADR offers a low-cost alternative to formal legal action for both traders and consumers alike. It is an efficient way of resolving disputes and I hope coverage across the EU will increase rapidly."
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CRA measures "a mixture of the unnecessary and the inadequate"
Posted,1/16/2013 2:00:00 PM
The European Parliament today (Wednesday) approved new legislation aimed at restricting the influence of Credit Ratings Agencies (CRAs). The new laws impose a rotation regime on certain categories of work and set a strict timetable for when and how often agencies may issue judgments of sovereign debt.
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Dismay over court's Strasbourg ruling - but long-term fight goes on
Posted,12/13/2012 10:00:00 AM
Conservative MEPs today expressed bitter disappointment over a court judgment overturning a decision to reduce the number of costly trips to sit in Strasbourg made by the European Parliament.
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Lib Dems and Labour vote to create a President of Europe
Posted,11/26/2012 10:00:00 AM
British Liberal Democrats and Socialists have let slip their ambitions to build a European superstate when they voted in favour of radical changes to EU electionrules. Lib Dem and Labour MEPs enthusiastically voted through planned changes to arrangementsfor the 2014 European Elections which would include a direct Europe-wideelection to choose a President of the European Commission. Effectively that wouldcreate an elected President of Europe. Ashley Fox, Conservativespokesman on constitutional affairs in the European Parliament, said: "Europedoesn't have an elected president because it isn't a country. You don't need ahead of state when the state doesn't exist. "By voting en-bloc for this measure British LiberalDemocrats, along with Labour MEPs, havemade it plain that they would like to create a superstate called Europe, withBritain swallowed up into it." The resolution approved bythe European parliament called for pan-European political parties to selectpresidential candidates. The electedleader would thenspearhead Europe-wide electioncampaigns for the power to presideover the EU. A key clausesaid: "European Political parties shall nominate candidates for CommissionPresident, who will then play a leading role in the electioncampaign." Mr Fox said: "You can't vote for that without voting for a European state. Conservative MEPs opposed this vigorously, but the the Lib-Dems are unashamed federalists. They were joined by Labour in voting this through, showingneither can be trusted to defendBritish sovereignty or British interests."
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Ashley Fox condemns Belgian swoop on gaming executive
Posted,11/20/2012 10:00:00 AM
A senior British MEP today condemned as"disproportionate and legally-questionable" the actions of the Belgianauthorities in detaining and interrogating a business executive over gamblinglaws.
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