Labour and Conservatives have nothing to say

1.15.39pm GMT Fri 25th Feb 2005

In the debate and vote on the European Parliament's response to the work programme of the Barroso Commission in the next twelve months, both the Labour and Conservative Parties had an official line to abstain from voting.

Andrew Duff, the Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the East of England was chief negotiator for the Liberal group ALDE on the European Parliament's response to the Commission Work programme condemned the non existent response of the Conservative and Labour parties to the proposals.

Mr Duff said "The Labour Government supports the Barroso commission but its representatives in Europe apparently do not. They have nothing to say on the Barroso Commission's agenda on Growth and Jobs. It is curious that they find themselves on the same side as Michael Howard's Conservatives on the promotion of growth and jobs across the EU.'

ENDS