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Hudghton (Verts/ALE) ,
– This report on the detailed preparation for EU membership by the 10
new Member States who will join on 1 May has once again deservedly
attracted widespread support in principle in this House. It is interesting
to note that the UK Unionist Parties are so enthusiastic about EU
enlargement and keen to welcome on board these new Member States, many of
whom are small, like Scotland, and in many cases have recently regained
their independence.
A contradictory approach is taken by these Unionist
Parties at home, where Scotland is deemed, by them, to be too small, too
poor and too weak to be able to exercise the normal rights and powers of
independence.
It is clear that Ireland, for example, has prospered as
an independent EU Member State and it is fitting that in its role as EU
presidency, Ireland will preside over this, the largest ever single
enlargement of the EU. I have no doubt that Scotland too would be better
off independent rather than being misrepresented and betrayed on a regular
basis by UK ministers in the Council. |
