Comments on: A big-mouthed, red-faced, grumpy old man?

By: John Weston

John Weston — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:07:44 +0000

I visited the EU parliament in Strasbourg last week and attended two plenary sessions. They are nothing like the debating chambers of the UK parliaments. MEPs read from a piece of paper and have a specified time limit which is run down on a very large screen. Laws seem to be determined by myopic unelected NGOs who have vested interests. With others I attempted to support a protest to Gordon Brown that his government should have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty: we were moved from the site line of the cameras by ushers and administrators with harsh words and gestures. Roger, please keep up your good work in an effort to give power to the people and not unelected bureaucrats.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:48:37 +0000

Roger, please could you detail which seven member-state governments were elected on a promise of a referendum for the Treaty of Lisbon? I need to know as part of some research I’m doing. Thank you in advance.

By: Simon Richards

Simon Richards — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:25:36 +0000

William, I don’t doubt that you are genuinely anti-EU, but please demonstrate it by criticising the EU itself, rather than attacking Roger - one of it’s most forceful opponents. I’ve seen enough of Roger in action to know that he works phenomenally hard to oppose EU fraud, waste and lack of democracy at every turn and with every means at his disposal.

By: Jonathan Sheppard

Jonathan Sheppard — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:30:11 +0000

As one of Roger’s constituents in the East Midlands I have to say I feel very well served by him as my MEP.

I think Roger is will known for being very vocal and often critical of all that is wrong with the EU and to come up with comments about his salary and pension is really a little silly.

There is a saying in football - play the ball not the man.

By: Roger Helmer

Roger Helmer — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:07:43 +0000

William, You keep asking me to “DO IT”. Do what, exactly? As I said earlier, I devote nearly every waking hour to opposing EU integration. I (and a lot of other people) think I do so rather effectively. But if you can think of a better way, let me know and I’ll look at it seriously.

As for the remuneration of MEPs: yes, I do get rather generous pension terms. But I also got generous pension terms from former employers (who in those days had final-salary schemes). And before you mention expenses — pre-1999 as an international business executive, I did well in that department too. Anyone who thinks I’m in it for the money doesn’t know me very well.

By: William Fruin

William Fruin — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:43:45 +0000

Roger, your response does you no favours. Would I follow your blog if I beleived in the EU? Also as a retired businessman I feel your self justification on less income is disingenuous. One example; pension benifits? Also, you have unarguabley done a lot of ‘huffing and puffing’ but “raising public opinion”. Sadly I do not beleive you have made ‘the public’ more aware. The resistance to EU encroachment is self evident to most people, hence opinion poll results indicate a massive NO vote should the government do what it promised.
The point I make is that a different form of protest is required. Your in the field, bring on the game, change the rules and many of us will man the barackades alongside you. But DO IT rather than talk, talk. Have a healthy and positive New Year.

By: Roger Helmer

Roger Helmer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:17:24 +0000

I don’t find William’s comments very helpful. I have devoted the last ten years of my career to fighting the EU juggernaut, and many friends and coleagues would agree that I have not entirely wasted my time. If nothing else, I have helped raise public concern about the issue.

There is nothing inconsistent in opposing the EU while still being an MEP. Would William like a European parlianment in which all the members were passionate euro-luvvies? And the remarks about the benefits of membership are unworthy. For what it is worth, even after eight years of inflationary pay rises I still earn significantly less as an MEP than I earned in the Directorship I gave up in 1998.

By: William Fruin

William Fruin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:24:35 +0000

The main difficulty with making a stand for the right to decide how our country should be run whilst working for and on the euro gravy train is that your huffing and puffing lacks credability. I accept the point it is better to fight from within, or be close to your friends and even closer to your enemies. However, the benifits the eroucrats recieve that you shout about are often the very ones you are happy to pocket as well.
No, no, no it will not do. The word is mighter than the sword only holds good if people read and listen. The illeagle EU (No audit signed off for 12 years, you work with them!!) and our own parliment will ignore the will of the people, simply because they can.
The time for a different form of protest is well past. What do you accually do other than wave a piece of paper about! When things are wrong (your opinion is still legal - just) there are three options to take: Put up and shut up: Change it: or quit. Which one do subscribe to? Man the barracks and the majority will be with you if the fight is fair. Keep shouting and you sound like a serial complainer, a loser.

By: Ughtred Smiths

Ughtred Smiths — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 19:52:13 +0000

Exactly. Roger, you put it so much better than I. I endorse every word .
A Happy,Healthy & Prosperous New Year

By: Paul Wilson

Paul Wilson — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 19:25:26 +0000

Why would Mr Helmer want to be a proud citizen of the EU. As he points out - he is elected by people from the UK and is not elected to represent them, not to represent the EU. Pro Europe does not mean pro EU!