'Back to school' for MEPs

Written by Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP and published in High & I on Wed 4th Aug 2004

Starting back in Brussels and Strasbourg after the elections was like going back to school. I was grateful I was not a new girl, but even so there was much to do in sorting out offices, committees and arrangements. I am pleased to be re-chosen as the Liberal group spokeswoman on justice and civil liberties.

One of the UKIP MEPs made himself famous, or notorious, by complaining how women failed to clean behind the fridge. We already knew they had no intention to work hard on the detail of legislation in committee, but if that is the level of their contribution, we have little to fear from the strength of their arguments. But it is a pity that their buffoonery tars all MEPs.

Another matter that trips up MEPs is the question of expenses. I can for instance assure recent High & I correspondent and former Labour MP Roy Roebuck that no part of the staff, office or travel allowances comes to me by way of personal income. When he refers, in a letter specifically attacking me, about the office allowance being paid 'directly into the MEP's bank account', he should be careful not to be libellous. I have a specific office account.

A British MEP's annual salary is £57,485, the same as an MP; opinions will differ on whether this represents a fortune.

What Mr Roebuck called 'colossal' expenses just cover, with no London weighting, the rent and running of a small office and the employment of two staff in Brussels and two constituency staff. These were amused to read the suggestion that they were 'more than adequately funded'. Allowances for MPs are comparable to ours. I have no problem defending the fact that if we are going to represent our constituents, we need some resources.

The daily allowance MEPs themselves receive for being away from home in Brussels and Strasbourg - not for 'attendance' but for board and lodging - is roughly similar to what MPs receive. The difference is that they get a lump sum, whereas we are required to sign in for every day we are present (our assistant cannot sign, Mr Roebuck!). I stay in a decent hotel, eat three square meals, and use all my allowance.

The charge that has real force relates to travel expenses. Liberal Democrats have been in the forefront of the campaign to end the present unacceptable situation whereby travel expenses are flat rate by mileage rather than cost reimbursement. Any surplus in my case stays in my office account from where I transact all my travel, but it is a weakness that this is not a requirement.

The European Parliament has been making steady progress on reforming its practices over recent years. But a deal secured in the Parliament last year to introduce travel cost reimbursement linked to a common salary was not supported by Conservatives, and has been blocked by EU governments. The outgoing Liberal President of the Parliament made renewed efforts for change last week.

We do have to lance this boil. Liberal Democrats consistently vote for reform of the system to make it more open, transparent and accountable. Not only is this necessary in itself, but it would enable us to put an end to a constant stream of accusations, insinuations and indeed misrepresentations so beloved of Europhobes.