Members of the European Parliament receive money for a number of different purposes. One of these is for "Information and Communication" - a budget line known as "4000". This is a tidy sum, currently 60,000 euros per annum. There are restrictions on how this can be spent, but it can fund research projects, websites, public meetings, newspapers and leaflets, and a whole lot more. These are all things that an MEP will be very interested in, as these are the means by which they communicate with the electorate, and with the press.
MEPs who do not sit in political groups exercise a great deal of control over this budget. Inside the groups it is different, with the money being allocated to each national delegation, which then decides how much an individual MEP can spend. In the EPP, for example, the British Conservatives could spend 10% of their own budget, whilst in the Socialist group, Labour MEPs had to negotiate hard for their money, but between 10 - 30% was the norm. In the Ind Dem group, during the last parliament, it was 25%.
But the money on the table is more than it was in the last parliament - a lot more.
In the new group in which UKIP sits, MEPs are allowed exactly 0%.
The whole sum, all 780,000 euros per annum, is in the control of one man. Guess who that might be.... correct, it is Nigel Farage.
As one Tory MEP asked: "Are they mad to accept that? Are they scared to stand up to him?"
The answer, clearly, is "Yes".
UKIP members might ask, at the end of the year, "What was the 780 grand spent on, Nigel?" They won't get an answer, of course.
7 comments:
Someone hasn't been paying attention, have they, Junius? As usual, you are looking the wrong way! What do you think funded the leaflet that went to every household in Ireland, if not the 4000 budget? But you wouldn't want the truth to get in the way of your twisted world view, now would you?
Hi,
Paul tries to come across as Mr. Knowall but is WRONG.
Each EUkip MEP donated £11,000 to fund the EFD leaflet.
Perhaps Paul will be man enough (or woman enough) to not only identify themselves rather than hide their lies behind anonimity but also to apologise.
As for Junius looking the wrong way - perhaps you meant Janus.
Regards,
Greg L-W.
Hi,
Junius isn't this the same fund but from the previous group from which Farage & Lott seem to have half inched £250,000+ for a pretend petition that never took place?
That money seems to have been trousered as there never was a Petition and there was no meaningful effort to hold one as they didn't even bother finding out how Petitions work to be legal - they seem to have produced a few leaflets to provide a cover and then the rest of the money vanished.
Unfortunately EUkip is in such a mess that they have no one left, it seems, who could be trusted to give an honest answer as they have ALL colluded in criminality, dishonesty, racism, corruption, cheating and lies in one way or another.
In desparation they are now working with some of the most vile individuals in EUropean Politics and indulging in bullying and smearing on the internet.
Regards,
Greg L-W.
"Perhaps Paul will be man enough (or woman enough) to not only identify themselves rather than hide their lies behind anonimity but also to apologise."
I'd be delighted to, just as soon as Junius does
Hi,
so it is clear that Paul has neither the integrity to apologise for his insulting inaccuracy nor is he man enough to put his name to his dishonesty - we need know no more of this odious coward.
You CHOSE to come here and I know those involved - you sir are just a coward without ethics.
Regards,
Greg L-W.
I am in the right place then, aren't I? Isn't this where everyone is frightened to reveal their indentity?
Hi,
Paul said...
I am in the right place then, aren't I? Isn't this where everyone is frightened to reveal their indentity?
Paul can't even get that right!!
My name is Greg Lance-Watkins
You can locate my full details at:
http://GregLanceWatkins.blogspot.com
You may well be too ashamed to put your name to your comments and identify yourself. But clearly your implication is a lie.
I presume you are anti UKIP and a sychophant of The Faragista Fan Club so clearly working for EUkip to destroy the party.
Regards,
Greg L-W.
Post a Comment