Britannia Radio

8 May 2008

Ashley Mote MEP is Standing Down... But Both Fights Go On. Ashley Mote today (7 May 2009) confirmed that he is not seeking re-election to the European Parliament in June. He has sat in the European Parliament for the last five years, representing the interests of constituents in what the EU chooses to call south-east England - Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. In a farewell message, Mr Mote said: "I pay unreserved tribute to my family and staff, and the many hundreds of constituents and scores of other supporters and activists from all over the world, who have supported me throughout my time in Brussels and Strasbourg. I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude for the immense encouragement and practical help I have received from so many people. It made all the difference, especially when the going got tough. "Unlike many of my former colleagues, who were quicker to disown than support me at the first excuse, I have tried to engage with the unelected bureaucrats who now govern Britain. There were weapons lying on the battlefield, ready for use. Over the past five years I have picked them up and used them. They enabled me to hold the Commission to account, to question their actions and decisions, to confront them with the consequences, and to sow doubts in their minds. I have tried to undermine the EU itself. "It was also possible to bring back substantial amounts of information for people whose lives and businesses were under threat from the endless torrent of proposed EU legislation. "In a few cases - far too few - I was able to make a real difference. But the European Parliament remains a charade - a democratic fig-leaf designed to give an illusion of accountable democracy. It is, of course, merely an expensive talking shop, just tolerated by the unelected Commission which holds all the legislative power. "As for the future, I shall remain in the fight, but not right in the centre of the battlefield. Nothing is more important that restoring our right to govern ourselves. We will win. It is inevitable. And I suspect the EU knows it is ultimately doomed, if only because it does not command popular support, and never can. "Meanwhile, I will at last have the time needed to clear my name after the controversial court case in 2007.  Knowing so many people accept that I was the target of a political hatchet job is a priceless asset. But it is not quite enough. "I now need the law to recognise it and throw out the confused verdicts. My appeal is already under way, and my new legal team is still developing additional ammunition." PS: For the record, this EU-funded website continues until the end of June. (Wasn't that a better-than-normal use of British taxpayers' money?) A new, privately funded version will replace it in July. Details will be circulated in good time.

To respond to, or comment on this Email, please email ashley.mote@btconnect.com