FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Born in Sri Lanka into a political family, but raised in Britain, Nirj Deva was Conservative member of parliament from 1992-97. Here he looks at his aims and first days as an MEP.

MY FIRST day in Brussels couldn't have been more different from that in the House of Commons. In the European Parliament there is no sense of history. In the Commons I took an oath in front of my colleagues in the Chamber and swore loyalty to the Crown. I was proud to do so, not only as an MP but also as Her Majesty's Deputy Lord Lieutenant. In Brussels I was asked for a photograph, issued with a pass and that was it!

There's no doubt that we're faced with new challenges across Europe. It's my ambition to help the Conservatives establish an EU that looks outwards; to encourage expansion, and to deliver our manifesto commitments to ensure that we are in Europe, not run by Europe. To create a freer, less regulated Europe; a Europe more like Britain - open, accountable, entrepreneurial and tolerant - a new Europe that does less and does it better.

As the Spokesman for Overseas' Development and Co-operation, I hope to ensure that EU funds are allocated to help the poorest people in the world. Daily I'm fighting against inefficiencies and delays and for fraud to be eliminated.

I don't want to see increased amounts of money accrued to the aid budget until the resources that have already been promised are better spent.

Issues of immediate concern include the workings of the World Trade Organisation and discussions on tariff reductions for the new millennium; poverty elimination; global environmental problems; resolving conflicts; landmine clearance, and self-help projects.

DID YOU KNOW...?

...UK Common Law is being threatened by Labour and EU plans to introduce the Continental system of guilty until proved innocent?
... Labour MEPs voted to cut the British rebate secured by Margaret Thatcher?
... The Labour government is helping to create an EU army which will weaken NATO?

Tyrants must be stopped
Following a maiden speech about the plight of East Timor, Nirj Deva pushed for a rethink on the Montevideo Convention.'This compels democracies like ours to give equal recognition, treatment and respectability to brutal regimes which refute democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fair government' says Nirj.

Hand ups, not hand-outs
Recent devastating events, and previous events like the cyclone in the Indian state of Orissa and earthquakes in Turkey - have proved the need for much quicker and effective action from the EU and the international community, says Nirj Deva. In Orissa, 15 million lives were ruined and the economy set back 10 years. In Turkey, thousands had to live through freezing winter weather in 60,000 tents. But still much of the EU aid is bogged down in bureaucracy. Nirj says that in the long term hand-ups, not hand-outs are needed to restore shattered lives.

Nirj has been campaigning against John Prescott in South East
Prescott and Labour's plans to build a million houses in the South East must be stopped says Nirj Deva. He has started a campaign to protect the environment, especially the Green Belt, and our quality of life. He's also calling for safer roads. 'I'm appalled to find that Surrey has the most dangerous roads in England', says Nirj

CONTACT DETAILS

NIRJ DEVA is the MEP representing Berkshire and Surrey constituencies of Epsom & Ewell, Esher & Walton, Guildford, Runnymede & Weybridge, South West Surrey, Spelthome, Surrey Heath and Woking.

He can be contacted at his office:
169b Kennington Road,
London
SE11 6SF
Tel. 020 7 642 8880. Fax 020 7 642 8879

E-mail: ndeva@europarl.eu.int

British taxpayer pays twice
Common Agricultural Policy export subsidies of $40 billion helped to dump EU surplus milk in Jamaica. In the same way West African countries have been dumped with EU beef. They were then sent aid by the EU for their losses. So the British taxpayer pays to subsidise the exports and next to subsidise those who have been destroyed by the exports. 'This is mad', says Nirj Deva. This is just one of the anomalies investigated by Nirj when he prepared a 2,000 page report on the World Trade Organisation in his official role of Rapportteur for the European Parliament (EP).

Conservatives are committed to

Fighting fraud and mismanagement in Europe;
Opposing Socialist EU ministers' attempts to impose new burdens on business, new taxes, new trade union powers and more red tape;
Completing the European single market in the teeth of opposition from France;
Making it easier for British citizens to trade, travel, study, work and live throughout the EU;
Ensuring effective environmental protection and consumer safeguards without undermining Europe's competitiveness;
Resisting efforts to abolish the UK's frontiers and right of veto over key EU decisions;
Defending British farmers and fishermen so they are treated equally and fairly in Europe.

Nirj Deva with Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangiria