9 Written explanations of Daniel DALTON

The British delegation voted against the Stanishev report on visa-free travel for UK citizens because, although we strongly support visa-free travel both for UK citizens in the EU and for EU citizens in the UK, this issue was hijacked by Spanish demands for Gibraltar to be wrongly defined as a colony of the UK and for a ʻsolutionʼ to be found.We cannot support the addition of this language, which is also a significant change to the original Parliament position.We strongly support visa-free travel, but not if the cost is language which puts in doubt the sovereignty and right to self-determination of the people of Gibraltar.

On behalf of the UK Conservative Delegation:Conservative MEPs are concerned about challenges to judicial independence in Romania and the ability of the country’s criminal justice system to tackle corruption and organised crime. However, by once again indulging in political grandstanding instead of seeking real solutions through deeper engagement and constructive dialogue, the European Parliament is making it more difficult to address these issues.In particular, we cannot support attempts by the Parliament to extend its power to intervene in the domestic affairs of Member States and trigger punitive measures against them. Robust legal measures already exist in the EU to investigate and punish treaty breaches that undermine the rule of law and MEPs should not be attempting to politicise this process.For these reasons we are opposing this motion for resolution.

I voted to reject the mandate for negotiations because, although I support many of the aims of the report in tackling certain unfair trading practices, I have reservations about a number of the proposals contained within it. For instance, it specifically bans joint purchasing which is used by many small independent retailers, effectively a de facto ban on SMEs in the retail food sector. At the same time it expands the scope to include large manufacturers in the supply side, who have significantly more bargaining power than smaller retailers. Furthermore it arbitrarily bans some standard selling practices in the UK and other grocery markets that benefit the consumer, such as below cost selling for promotional purposes to introduce new products. These unnecessary changes will hurt consumer choice, raise consumer prices and will not in fact help suppliers.

(On behalf of the UK Conservative Delegation in the European Parliament) On 28 February 2017, Belgium, along with the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Denmark submitted a joint recommendation to the Commission on fisheries management measures to improve the condition of the seabed by reducing the use of fishing gear that has contact with the seabed. The delegated act permits the testing of ‘alternative seabed- impacting fishing gear with specific authorisation’. Belgium initiated this joint recommendation to achieve good environmental status under the marine strategy framework directive. The Belgian Government has made it clear that no pulse technology will be used or tested in the four zones that this delegated act is to apply to. The Conservative Delegation therefore, see no good reason to oppose this delegated act. The Conservative Delegation fully supports the aims and objectives of the Belgian Government and the relevant North Sea Member States, including the UK, in improving the integrity of the seabed.

Explanation of vote by the UK Conservative Delegation in the ECR Group:The UK delegation shares with the rapporteur the ambition to build a cleaner, more sustainable Europe, however we are not able support this package due to some of the measures included in it.We recognise the benefits that renewable energy brings to our economies and our societies, but do not think that arbitrary, unrealistic targets imposed at EU level are the way to bring that about.We feel that the renewable energy targets risk derailing Member States from finding their own cost-effective ways of meeting their climate targets, and impose costs on consumers.Furthermore, we think the various sub-targets are overly complex, carry high administrative burdens, and do not give investors certainty.We are supportive of the long-term goal of a decarbonised Europe, but we think the way to achieve this is by letting Member States discover their own most cost-effective way to do so.Finally, we could not support an arbitrary ban on palm oil, which will have an inflationary effect on food prices and cause significant economic damage to developing countries.For these reasons, though supportive of renewables and other actions in this package, we abstained.

The Brexit negotiations are at a crucial stage and the UK Conservative Delegation in the ECR Group is heartened by the excellent progress made in recent weeks through the hard work and goodwill of both sides. The joint report agreed by the EU and the UK Government last week was a major step forward and should provide the basis for discussion of our future relationship. In this spirit, we welcome Parliament’s recommendation that the European Council agrees to open the second phase of talks. We also note Parliament’s wish that the UK and the EU maintain ‘as close a relationship as possible’ following Brexit. However, the motion for resolution goes further and attempts to tie the hands of the EU’s Brexit negotiators by, for instance, dictating arrangements for the transitional period. This is not Parliament’s role at this stage of the process. We need to enter the next round of talks in a spirit of cooperation, not confrontation, and be open to innovative thinking if we are to secure an outcome that enables both sides to prosper. For this reason we supported the recommendation that talks move forward, but abstained on the resolution.

. – British Conservatives believe that both the EU and the UK have a duty to ensure that an agreement on citizens’ rights is found as soon as possible, based on the principles of equality, fairness and reciprocity.However, whilst the European Parliament has the right to express its opinion and will vote on the final deal, it must be made clear that it is not the role of the European Parliament to set red lines and undermine the negotiating positions of the EU 27 and the UK Government.Conservatives wish to make it clear that they fully support the mandate pursued by the UK Prime Minister and look forward to a constructive, prosperous and cooperative future relation with the EU once the UK has exited.

. – Whereas the UK delegation of the ECR Group fully supports fundamental rights, equality and the fight against discrimination for all; however, the UK delegation of the ECR Group does not believe extending the scope of EU agencies is the most effective way of achieving this with respect to fundamental rights.The report also calls on the Commission and Council to include police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (i.e. ‘ex-third pillar’ matters) in its draft Decision. The UK opts out of a large number of these matters and the UK delegation of the ECR Group believes these matters, with respect to fundamental rights, are most effectively dealt with at Member State level.Therefore, the UK delegation of the ECR Group could not vote in favour of this report.

Whereas the UK delegation of the ECR Group fully supports fundamental rights, equality and the fight against discrimination for all; however, the UK delegation of the ECR Group does not believe extending the scope of EU agencies is the most effective way of achieving this with respect to fundamental rights.The report also calls on the Commission and Council to include police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (i.e. ‘ex-third pillar’ matters) in its draft Decision. The UK opts out of a large number of these matters and the UK delegation of the ECR Group believes these matters, with respect to fundamental rights, are most effectively dealt with at Member State level.Therefore, the UK delegation of the ECR Group could not vote in favour of this report.