"Sign up to scrap Strasbourg!" says Euro-MP

11.44.05am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th May 2006

Sarah and colleagues are campaigning to stop the ‘travelling circus’

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford is urging Londoners to support a new petition to end the European Parliament's costly monthly trips to Strasbourg.

The Campaign for Parliament Reform hopes to collect one million signatures for its "one seat" petition before it is given to the European Commission. It calls for MEPs to do all of their work in Brussels instead of being forced to travel to Strasbourg for full sessions of the parliament. Sarah Ludford said:

"The recent furore over the rental of the Strasbourg buildings highlights just how illogical it is to spend vast sums on a second seat when we have one which would serve perfectly well in Brussels."

"It is truly absurd that all 732 of us, with our staff and trunks full of files have to make the monthly trip from Brussels to Strasbourg. Not only is it a total waste of taxpayers' money, but the travelling involved causes large amounts of unnecessary carbon emissions. European institutions have to start setting a better example."

"I hope that all my constituents will sign up to this initiative and help us to end the travelling circus once and for all."

Related Link:

To sign up please go to www.oneseat.eu.