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Welcome to my February Newsletter

Welcome to my newsletter for February. This monthly report is a chance for me to keep you up to date on what your London Labour MEP is doing on your behalf, as well as to give you a regular analysis of developments in the EU.

This month, I've re-launched my newsletter format. I hope you find it both clear and informative. I've also written for Next Europe about the deadly repression in Syria and for Labour List about both the threat from the European far-right and the current situation in Hungary.

Please feel free to get in touch and I always welcome any feedback,

Claude Moraes MEP

Labour MEP for London

Deputy Leader, European Parliamentary Labour Party.

Syria: End of the Arab Spring?

This month, I've written for Next Europe about the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Syrian President al-Assad seems hell bent on hanging on to power, and murdering as many of his own people in the process as he sees fit. I've argued that understanding the international community’s intentions in Syria is the key to how and if we can end the bloodshed there, as well as the nature of the wider Arab Spring.

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Europe's rising-far right

During February, I was disappointed to learn that seven far-right European political parties created a new political group in the European Parliament. Called the “Alliance of European Nationalist Movements (AENM)”, this group will now qualify for a reported €289,266  of EU taxpayers’ money.

I've written for LabourList about how this is but one sign of an ongoing far-right resurgence. Exploiting a long and drawn-out recession, Fascism in Europe is growing in new and unpredictable ways.

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Hungary and Europe

 

In Hungary, the government is changing the country's constitution as well as making other sweeping reforms. This has caused great concern in the European Parliament. Despite his repeated denials, and offers of compromise, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left) appears intent on muddying the divide between judiciary and executive in Hungary.

I’m leading the Socialists and Democrats on this issue in the European Parliament, as especially during times of recession, preventing permanent, undemocratic changes to the governing norms of European countries is essential.

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Political Drag on Asylum in Europe

By the end of 2012, the Common European Asylum System is due to be in place. The EU's member states agreed as much in 2008 and have affirmed as much since.

However, in the midst of an ongoing recession, Member States do not want to make real efforts on this issue. In the middle of an economic crisis, European governments don't want to make progress on such a sensitive subject. However, finding a solution to this important issue is critical, especially following the migratory flows Europe experienced during the Arab Spring.

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Labour Party News

Ken Livingstone is offering Londoners a real change from Tory Mayor Boris Johnson’s attack on commuters. Ken will also reverse the Tory police cuts.

2012 will be Londoners' chance to send a mid-term message to the Tory-led government in Westminster. You can Tell Ken your priorties for the election and your local area as a part of our Labour campaign.

CLP visits

This month, and in the coming weeks, I have reported to, or will be reporting to, the following CLPs personally:

Lewisham East CLP - February 3rd

Richmond Park CLP - March 15th

Islington North CLP - March 30th

Richmond Park CLP - May 24

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Opposition Watch

Tory Roger Helmer announced in October he would stand down as Conservative MEP for the East Midlands at the end of 2011. Now however, he is refusing to give up his seat until his successor is approved. According to the 2009 list, this is Rupert Matthews, an “expert in UFOs and paranormal activity”. Matthews is also being investigated by Conservative HQ for publishing a book on political correctness that is illustrated with golliwogs, and is not even on the current list of approved Conservative candidates.

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