What the Euro candidates say

OTTERS are returning to the rivers of Britain. It's a great demonstration of European laws in practice. Nations have worked together to raise water standards because they cannot deal with the problems of pollution alone.

I'm passionate about the environment, pleased that the EU has led the world in trying to tackle climate change, and proud of my own record in strengthening laws to cut pollution, promote recycling, and improve animal welfare. The environment is one area of law-making where MEPs can make a real difference.

Britain must be able to make and shape the decisions that affect it.

That's why Liberal Democrats say we have to be at the heart of Europe. We can be proud that the EU now has British values of democracy, liberty and justice at its very core. I want many changes though, starting with further reforms to agricultural policy, an end to secrecy, and a curb on the centralising tendency of the institutions in Brussels.

Den Dover, Conservative...

THE Conservatives accept the need for a large European home market for trade and employment. We do not want to join the single currency because we need flexibility, as the fourth largest economy in the world, to set our own interest and tax rates. We do not want to have a European Constitution. If other countries want to integrate further politically or economically that is up to them, but they can count us out.

We will play a major role in framing environment legislation in Europe. We want the current EU budget frozen at one per cent of GDP. We will fight to retain the British Rebate, to fend off an EU tax and to retain control over immigration and asylum. We want Europe to do less and do it better. We will keep putting Britain first.

Brian Simpson, Labour ...

A CURSORY glance at the news would lead most people to believe that the European Parliament was a complete waste of time, however, what our largely Eurosceptic media don't tell us are the benefits that Europe has delivered for the people of Cumbria.

Labour MEPs have helped to ensure that every worker in Cumbria now has the legal right to four weeks' paid holiday.

When the safety of Cumbrian children is discussed, again Europe has delivered, children aged 5-15 are protected by laws that ensure all coaches and minibuses are fitted with seatbelts.

We have also legislated to help air passengers who arrive at airports, only to be told that their flight is cancelled or overbooked. Tough new European legislation will guarantee proper compensation.

NW Labour MEPs have voted for one of the most important advances for animal welfare. New European rules due to come into effect in 2009 not only ban testing of cosmetics on animals in the 25 EU countries but also the sale of cosmetics tested on animals anywhere in the world.

Professor John Whitelegg,Green Party...

THE Green Party is confident of achieving its best-ever Euro-election results on June 10. The Green Party has a proven track record in Europe, and has made real progress on a range of issues, proving that politicians can be honest, radical and effective.

We are campaigning on a number of issues, including: Iraq - Greens are the only major political Party to have consistently opposed the war, and demand that UK soldiers are pulled out, and replaced by intervention.

Public transport - we want to improve public transport and cut pollution, as well as encourage cycling and walking.

Energy we are anti-nuclear, and want more solar and hydro-power to replace polluting forms of energy production.

Food - Greens are anti-GM and want local food production and organic farming.

Waste - a Europe-wide "Zero Waste" policy would cut waste, improve recycling, save money and create jobs.

John Whittaker, UK Independence Party...

THIS euro-election is about electing members of the European Parliament. But one would hardly think so, the way the other parties are talking about everything other than Europe.

The agenda of the European Union is, and always has been, a one-way street towards European government. As the debate on the new EU Constitution has now made clear, the real issue is in or out. If Britain stays in the EU we can look forward to further interference in our legal systems, energy resources, taxation, immigration policy and public services.

This is unacceptable to British people. Millions now agree with the UK Independence Party policy to leave the EU. When Britain leaves the EU, we shall still trade with the EU, just as Norway and Switzerland do.