In her final speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, 30th January, Claire explained her decision to abstain on the motion relating to the gender pay gap. She said that it was in protest of the pay gaps that are rarely discussed such as the pay gap between the wealthy eurocrats and the underpaid and … Read more
In her penultimate speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, 30th January, Claire expressed warm sentiments to her fellow European colleagues light-heartedly saying that this was not goodbye not in fact ‘au revoir’. She said that this was not because we would be re-joining but actually because we would continue to remain friends and enjoy … Read more
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 15 January, Claire spoke on the parliament’s debate on whether to penalise Hungary under the rules of Article 7. She began by paying tribute to Roger Scruton, who recently passed, praising his courage in assisting Eastern Europe in their struggle against authoritarian communism. Claire said that these nations … Read more
During the explanation of her vote at Strasbourg, 16th January, Claire explained her decision to vote against the Parliament’s Article 7 proceedings against Hungary and Poland. She rejected the motion as a bullying weapon in defiance of the Polish and Hungarian voters, condemning the parliament for themselves failing to live up to European values, particularly … Read more
At the Strasbourg parliament, 16th January, Claire explained her decision to abstain on the motion on the Conference on the Future of Europe. She explained that as the director of the Academy of Ideas, she has always sought to champion public debate and civil engagement in politics. However, the motion sought to use citizen participation … Read more
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 15 January, Claire commented on the EU Future of Europe initiative to develop the policy goals of the next legislature. She criticised the use of faux-democratic citizen assemblies, arguing that these were self-serving gimmicks and that if the EU was truly interested in the opinions of its citizens … Read more
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 15 January, Claire spoke about the EU-UK arrangements on citizens’ rights. Although she welcomed the fact that both sides had reached am amicable arrangement that protects all citizens, she opted to vote against it. Claire explained that the decision to include an article on EU citizens self-declaring their … Read more
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 January, Claire expressed her concerns at the parliament’s approach to homelessness, despite seeing merit to the ‘housing first’ approach. She argued that this ‘one size fits all’ approach neglected many of the root causes of sleeping rough. Claire mentioned Eurozone austerity as a factor that has exacerbated … Read more
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday 19 December, Claire addressed the parliament on the issue of Russia’s foreign agent law. She argues that it is right Russia be criticised for curtailing journalists’ freedom, but points out that the tactic of labelling opponents as ‘foreign agents’ is one often utilised by the EU themselves. … Read more
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday 18 December, Claire explains her decision to abstain on the motion surrounding LGBTI public discrimination because of the civil liberties and freedom of speech limitations. She is concerned the motion will criminalise debate surrounding the trans community, particularly when some of the biggest opponents of this new … Read more