Lord Stoddart of Swindon (formerly Labour and now independent Labour) is co-president of the Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) with Sir Richard Body. He was chairman for 23 years.
Although some people consider CIB is more or less a Tory organisation one of their affiliates is LESC (Labour Euro Safeguards Campaign) and they have committee members from both main parties, UKIP and those who are not in any party.
The Reading-based peer has dubbed the newly created President of the EU a "very expensive insult". In a response from the government's Lord Astor of Hever, Lord Stoddart was informed that the annual cost of Herman van Rompuy, including his staff, travel expenses and salary, is six million euro of £4.98m.
Lord Astor admitted: "The cost is being met this year from within the EU's annual budget, using funds which had been previously allocated to other Council projects".
Lord Stoddart said:
"President van Rompuy is a very expensive insult to the taxpayers of Europe.
"He is unelected, having been chosen during a dinner. His annual salary of £273,814 is greater than that of President Obama and, although funded by the taxpayer, he cannot be voted out of office."
He added: "However, this is a drop in the ocean compared to the £252 million being spent on the creation of a palace for him to work in. President van Rompuy is part of the new overpaid and unelected political elite which is now the real Government of Britain and all the other member states."
I wish there were some like the good Lord on the Tory and Libdem back benches.
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13 comments:
Well said SR in regard to your last paragraph!
He and Pearson are the only real opposition in the Lords too!
I think he speaks for all of us.
Funny, isn't it, how many seem 'free' to speak their minds these days.
Thank you WFW. You've made my Monday.
Not enough though Mrs R. We need more like him because our voices are ignored.
"..... this is a drop in the ocean compared to the £252 million being spent on the creation of a palace for him to work in....."
C'mom SR, it's less than a quid per EU voter. You wouldn't begrudge him that, would you?
[For the avoidance of doubt, extracts tongue from cheek.]
Glorious democracy - celebrated by the few on the backs of the many.
Jings Joe, I wouldn't have though you were being satirical in the least. :)
What else can I say RA.
A diamond in the Lords, that man. He was very outspoken about a certain piece of legislation in 2006, too. ;)
He was indeed and he's exceptionally well regarded by his peers Dick.
I should have said that it was Edward Spaldon who brought this to my attention. Must email him and apologise for not mentioning that. Work is taking priority at present.
"Work is taking priority at present."
Yeah, I'll have to pop up and watch you doing that shake'n'vac hoovering someday. ;)
Yes indeed Dick, you've no idea how much vac-ing I do and as for shaking, well I'll keep taking the pills...
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