Europe: up close and personal
Mar 18 2009 by Andrew Hebden, The Journal
Here, nine of the party share their views.
GRAEME STOKER, BT
‘‘EUROPE’’ – what’s that all about then? I have to confess that the European Parliament, Commission and Council were all previously a bit of a mystery to me, and if you asked me how our region fitted into the European framework, I’d have just been guessing. The Future Leaders visit gave us access to expertise, insight and knowledge about Europe that no amount of Googling would ever reveal. And whilst our whistle-stop tour helped to contextualise much that we hear about Europe, it also raises many more new questions. For example, how many North East businesses are aware of our region’s permanent presence in Brussels, and would they know how to go about finding out about opportunities that the EU could afford them? Europe is certainly complex, but for me at least, this is just the start of my learning.
SIMON PRIESTLEY, WARD HADAWAY
THE visit certainly reinforced my view that Europe has a vital role to play when it comes to business in the North East and that we need to engage with institutions like the European Parliament and look to influence them much more than we currently do.
Europe forms and contributes to something like 50% of the legislation that affects England and Wales so we have to ensure that we have a real say in the directives and regulations which get made there.
What the visit brought home to me is that while MEPs go about their jobs with discipline and principles, their actions come under much less scrutiny from the public and the media than those of North East MPs and council leaders, despite the fact that they are making very important decisions which affect our day-to- day lives. However, I did come away with the sense that if we make a real effort to engage with Europe and seek to influence policy there, there are some real gains to be made for the North East.
TIM LEIGH, FPP
WHILST FPP has its head office in Newcastle, approximately 70% of our revenue comes from mainland Europe. This made the visit to Brussels and the European Parliament particularly relevant.
In spite of our strongly eurocentric customer base, I was struck by the degree to which Brussels shapes legislation back here in the UK. Before the trip, I’d been entirely unaware that over half of all domestic policy originates in Europe.
From a commercial viewpoint, the policy making process seems to progress at glacial speed. This seems to be perpetuated by the large number of stakeholders, influencers and agitators. In particular, it is apparent that some of those involved seem to prefer ideological debate to political progress.
In summary, I left with a much clearer understanding of the process of policy determination. I’m just glad that in my organisation of just 50 people, that I’m able to make decisions a whole lot more quickly.
EMMA O’ROURKE – SELF-EMPLOYED ACCOUNTANT
TWO messages from the trip really struck home for me. Firstly, we Brits cannot ignore what is happening in “Continental Europe” as, depending on who you speak to, between 50 and 80% of our UK legislation originates in Brussels.
Given our tendency to obey and enforce the letter of the law in the UK, we need to make sure we lobby to ensure that we have our say in the developing legislation before it is too late. Secondly, I was very impressed with the calibre of the CBI staff from both Brussels and Washington who are lobbying overseas on behalf of UK business. They have a detailed understanding of the issues faced by UK businesses. Perhaps more interesting was the differences in approach required to getting their messages across by knowing and influencing the right people in relation to each issue.
FUTURE LEADERS
THE Future Leaders programme was set up by the CBI in the North East to help encourage a new generation of business people to take an interest in the region’s future.
The year-long programme offers the group an insight into the way institutions that affect the North East operate plus the chance to meet some of the key individuals who shape the region’s destiny.
As well as the Brussels trip, this year’s group has quizzed top politicians at the CBI national conference and held a question time event with the CBI director general Richard Lambert.
The participants in this, the second year of the programme, are also taking part in a project with either the Prince’s Trust or Schools North East.
GARY HERRON, HSBC
THE key thing I gained from the two days was an appreciation of how little I knew about Europe. I have voted before in European elections but had not fully grasped the importance of the vote and the power that each MEP has.
The scale of the various European institutions is vast though, once explained, easily understood. A comforting result of the visit was the ability to meet MEPs and a number of UK and European civil servants and to understand exactly what they do and the fact what they do does matter, both for Europe as a whole, for the UK and, importantly the North East.
As for the North East itself the fact that we have One North East representatives was not news to me but to understand in more detail what they do and how they can influence on behalf of NE businesses was key. Their network and knowledge of ‘how things work’ can be a vital tool for any North East business visiting Brussels and to connect with them should be top of the list of priorities for any Europe bound businesses.
I will certainly be thinking more about how I vote in the European election in June – and yes that was another thing I learnt!
TOBYN HUGHES, NEXUS
I SET out with a very hazy knowledge of the workings of the EU. I came back feeling ashamed that I had not paid more attention before; over half of the laws passed by the UK government are to transfer EU Directives into UK legislation.
The fairly small number of North East people who turn out for European elections will probably vote for MEPs because of the party they are in, rather than their individual performance. Most of us pay very little attention to what our MEPs actually do when they arrive in Brussels, which is to shape the very directives that drive half of the work done by the UK parliament. It is a mistake to underestimate their influence on our daily lives. There will be European elections this June, and this time I will make sure that I know who I am voting for, and why!
RICHARD SEARS, NORTHUMBRIAN WATER
AS we were exposed to the various aspects of the European Machine as it was referred to a number of times we all expressed surprise at the apparent level of autonomy/ empowerment our elected MEPs have when carrying out their day-to-day activities. We were further surprised at the alignment of the MEPs to the European party when it came to coalition voting or blocking rather than that of their national party. Does this signify a lack of interest in the European Machine or a lack of understanding?
Machiavellian Machinations was a reference made by one MEP all adding to the mystery of Europe. You could be suspicious that having the British public engaged might be more hassle than its worth! Is there a vested interest in maintaining a lack of interest in the general public? More questions to answer, lobbying and more work for the MEPs and they are then less able to direct their efforts where they want? Brussels – good beer, good food, good venue, bad engagement. Just a coincidence?
ALEX LATIMER, MDA
EUROPE, who cares? That was my perception of the EU, a leviathan collection of confusingly named institutions of unclear function, churning out meaningless legislation largely away from public scrutiny. I also felt that it would have no relevance to our region, our aspirations or the challenges we are faced with.
Following the visit my perception of the European machine has not changed, but I am hugely reassured by the strength and quality of our region’s representation in the heart of Europe, by One North East and the CBI.
Sarah-Jane King heading the North East England office in Brussels provides us with a vital inside track on EU policy and most important, comprehensive information on the latest grant streams available to North East business.
Sean McGuire, director of CBI Brussels and his team have a two-way communications hot line with CBI North East, ensuring the needs of North East business are at the forefront of the CBI’s impressive lobbying machine in Europe.
So, coming back to “who cares?”. Our RDA and the CBI care, and identify and facilitate significant opportunities for us in Europe. We businesses need to care too, and take full advantage of them, for the region as a whole.
For more details about the programme, visit www.cbi.org.uk/northeast
