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Proceeding contribution from Keith Vaz (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 11 March 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill on European Union (Amendment) Bill.

European Union (Amendment) Bill

Absolutely. In 1997, this country was on the fringes of Europe. We were not even consulted on issues. We were put on the sidelines because of the strong relationship between France and Germany. It is simply not possible in a Europe of 27 for France and Germany to run the EU. Many of the countries that have come in, such as Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria—all the eastern and central European countries—look to the UK as their champion. We are the champion of enlargement and we led the enlargement process.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
473 c196 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information Criminal proceedings Accountability Administration of justice Asylum Children's rights Climate change Competition Constitutions Health services Firearms Human rights European Convention on Human Rights Immigration Environment protection EU law EU withdrawal Energy Drugs Human trafficking EU enlargement European Union European Parliament EU internal trade European Constitution Treaty EU common foreign and security policy EU institutions Labour and employment EU reform NHS Qualifications Police Organised crime Older people Referendums Parliament Paedophilia Terrorism Treaties Research Treaty on European Union UK membership of EU Smuggling European Court of Justice Council of Ministers Qualified majority voting Treaty of Lisbon EU presidency
Legislation
European Union (Amendment) Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk