Graham's blog Friday 4 December 2009

Published on Fri 4th Dec 2009

Well, Barroso caught people on the hop last Friday lunchtime - as he did early in August 2004 - by announcing much earlier than expected the portfolios he wishes each Commissioner to hold. British sniping at Frenchman Michel Barnier getting the internal market and financial services brief ('ruling the City of London' in the words of the tabloids) and French carping at the relatively inexperienced Catherine Ashton being put in charge of foreign and security policy simply go to show how little we have progressed since Agincourt. They also betray a fundamental misunderstanding of how collegiality in the European Commission works. In my view Barroso has made by and large good choices, though some of his nominees face a tough grilling in their parliamentary hearings in January. None of the 14 returning Commissioners gets the same portfolio as last time. Some new portfolios have been created, eg. climate change and justice and fundamental rights. Of the 27 there are eight who publicly declare themselves as Liberals, four men and four women, and another two men who are known to be but prefer not to 'come out'.

Baroness Ashton had a preliminary hearing in front of our foreign affairs committee since her duties for the European Council mean that she started her job on 1 December. She acquitted herself predictably well. I was surprised however to have been the first person to ask her about Afghanistan, although at least fourteen others spoke before me.

I have spent time this week on the case of two of my constituents who are in pre-trial detention in Hungary charged with offences relating to the sale of Spanish timeshare properties to Hungarians. Contrary to what UKIP says they are being reasonably well treated and have access to consular and legal help.

I also stepped in to deputise for a colleague in hosting a supper for the UK's Engineering Employers' Federation and was pleased to be seated next to the Manufacturing Manager of Numatic (vacuum cleaners) from Chard in Somerset.

Health ministers failed to reach agreement on the draft Directive on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare and the Swedish minister chairing the meeting had to conclude that since there was no qualified majority in favour the matter would be passed to the incoming Spanish Presidency. This is a pity, since it is a Directive Liberals have fought for; but more time is needed to deal with the concerns of all member states. But fortunately our Justice Ministers could agree that in the case of parallel criminal proceedings in more than one member state there must be a mechanism for deciding which country should have jurisdiction. Economy ministers agreed to give a little more time to countries with problems of public debt and balances of payments to sort them out. They set deadlines for getting budget deficits back down to less than 3% of GDP.

I normally abhor news of what celebrities are doing, but let me at least mention that Sir Paul McCartney was here this week together with IPCC Chairman Rajendra Pachauri to lead a discussion on global warming and food policy, ie how, if we all ate less meat, we could cut greenhouse gas emissions and help feed the hungry.

Last night I attended a civic function in Crewkerne for Mayor Hilary Leaman (LibDem); today I will be briefed by Natural England on their work in the south west before discussing GM crop developments with representatives of Taunton Friends of the Earth. Saturday will find me at a Liberal Democrat regional executive committee meeting. MEPs get little chance for Christmas shopping!