Dear Colleagues,
The Conservative Party have had a very good year, we have a Conservative majority in Westminster for the first time in 18 years, the economy continues to grow, expanding more than any other G7 country and we are finally delivering on our promise of an in/out referendum on the EU.
This month I have been receiving emails from people across the UK concerned about new proposals on firearms laws from the European Commission. We need to tackle illegal firearms on the continent, but the Commission proposals are poorly drafted and risk hurting collectors of deactivated weapons, historical reenactors and the UK film industry, I will be working in the New Year to amend them, more on this below.
In more positive news, following repeated calls from Conservative MEPs, the Commission has published proposals to allow consumers to watch their tv subscriptions whilst travelling in another member state. This addresses a fundamental unfairness to people who have paid for content not being able to access it, on a personal note I am delighted that when I am in Brussels I will no longer be deprived of watching the Ashes.
It was a pleasure to meet so many of you around the region this year, especially during the general election, where the response on the doorstep always felt like a different parallel election to that in the national media and opinion polls. As the Prime Minister said at our Conference regional reception in Manchester, the Midlands was the key battleground, and we clearly won the ground war this year. We need to make sure we repeat that victory in the police and crime commissioner and the local government elections next year.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and successful New Year.
Daniel Dalton MEP
Firearms laws need to focus on illegal weapons, not legal owners
Businesses and individuals across the West Midlands have been contacting me with concerns about the European Commission's proposed changes to EU firearms laws. I will be scrutinising the proposals in the Internal Market Committee and at the first exchange of views on the 7th December I questioned the Commission about the flaws in their draft legislation.
The current suggestions are unworkable and penalise lawful firearms owners whilst risking creating a new black market in weapons. Proposals to ban fully deactivated Category A weapons will impact thousands of historical reeneactors and could push many film and tv productions out of Europe. I am hopeful that with proper consultation with gun owners and national experts we can come to a sensible conclusion.
Win for consumers as Portability Proposals Published
You can take a book or a DVD on holiday with you, so why not your Sky or BT Sport subscription? I have been arguing all year in the European Parliament that current geo-blocking rules are outdated and unfair to digital consumers so I was delighted when the European Commission announced proposals to allow temporary access to your TV subscriptions whilst you are travelling in another EU member state. The day after the announcement I met with portability expert and Assistant Professor of Law at Warwick Univeristy, Ben Farrand (pictured) to discuss ways they can be improved for consumers.
Getting emissions trading legislation right for the ceramics industry
Earlier this month I spent a day meeting with ceramics industry representatives and Stoke on Trent City Council Conservative leader Abi Brown, touring some of the key sites in the newly announced Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, and learning about the industry’s concerns about proposed changes to the European emissions trading scheme. Following that day I met with my Conservative colleague Ian Duncan MEP, who is the lead negotiator for the European Parliament on the new emissions trading legislation, to discuss how we could work together to protect Stoke-on-Trent’s world famous ceramics industry.
Visiting Royal Mail’s Coventry South sorting office to hear their concerns about making changes to the European Postal Services Directive. I and my Conservative colleagues voted against revising the directive in an Internal Market Committee vote on the 14th December.
Winning backing for a liberalised European transport sector
Conservative MEPs won a key vote in the European Parliament’s Transport Committee endorsing a transport chapter to the proposed international Trade in Services Agreement between 23 partners and countries, including the USA. As lead negotiator for my political group I argued for the huge benefits to transport users and industry of a more competitive and liberalised European transport sector.
Keele CF EU Referendum Debate
Great to meet with Keele CF members to discuss the issues surrounding the upcoming EU referendum. If your local CF branch would like me to visit them please get in touch.
Questioning the European Commission on their proposed changes to Firearms Laws
The Commission has finally announced rules to allow sports fans to watch content they have paid for whilst on holiday. Here's a clip of me calling for 'portability' during the Cricket World Cup in February:
DOES YOUR BUSINESS TRADE WITH EUROPE?
I am writing a report on barriers to trade within the EU and I am keen to hear from anyone who has experienced difficulties when trading in Europe.
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