Leading Euro MP Tory Struan Stevenson has torn Conservative European policy into shreds by calling for an EU Coastguard. A vote will take place in Strasbourg next week which supports the establishment of an EU coastguard.
Nigel Farage, UKIP leader said, “Like so many Conservatives he is a Eurosceptic at home, wrapping himself in the Union Jack, but when out of sight in Brussels he reverts to type”.
The party appears to be confused over the issue, since Julian Brazier Tory MP has spoken out on the subject, saying ” The plan would be a betrayal of the maritime history of our country and the tens of thousands of men and women currently involved in our maritime sector.”
Philip Bradbourne Tory MEP has previously said, “The UK Conservatives are totally opposed to any attempts to establish a European Coastguard. The British system runs well and successfully deals with a wide range of maritime issues in British waters. … The fact that Labour and Liberal Democrat MEPs support the demise of the British coastal protection system demonstrates that they cannot be trusted to support the British national interest in Europe.”
Farage continued, “Our coastguard just efficiently co-ordinates search and rescue. The American coastguard (USCG) is a fully fledged Navy with big ocean going ships, guns and aircraft. The planned EU Coast Guard is on the USCG model and is the obvious start of an EU Navy. “
“We need to give support to the Royal Navy and our own coast guard rather than handing over more control to the EU.”
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Additional Reading:
The Stevenson Opinion (p 55, para 31)
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/expert/committees/reports.do?committee=2356&language=EN#
Conservative Policy Statement on the European Coastguard
http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=120008
Julian Brazier, then Shadow Shipping Minister’s comments
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/21/weu21.xml
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