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MEDIA RELEASE
16 December 2005

Embargo: none



DM CONDEMNS EU BUDGET DEAL

Tony Blair has pledged still further cuts to Britain's EU rebate in today's budget talks, in return for just the possibility of 'reform later' to the EU's costly Common Agricultural Policy.

Marc Glendening, DM campaign director comments:

"Handing billions more pounds of public money to the un-audited EU budget means less for front-line public services and higher taxes for hard-working families.

"80% of CAP subsidies goes to just 20% of producers, largely the wealthiest agri-businesses and landowners like the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Albert of Monaco.

"Recycling aid or development money through the EU's leaky budget, whether for Eastern Europe or anywhere, also makes no sense until the EU's budget is properly audited and we can be sure money is being spent for the purpose it was given.

"Tony Blair should not only refuse any extra money, but immediately halt all payments to the EU until at least he can be certain that public money is being safeguarded."

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FURTHER COMMENT: Marc Glendening, Tel: 020 8570 5681
or 020 7586 9926 or e-mail

Notes:

1. The Democracy Movement is a non-party campaign to dismantle and replace the EU with the Europe of Democracies - a constructive, modern alternative to today's highly-centralised, out-dated EU.

2. For more information about our Vision Europe campaign for a Europe of Democracies, click here

 
 
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