Mark Pack

“Conservative MEPs have consistently voted against a string of measures to protect women’s rights”

By | Sun 28th March 2010 - 8:21 pm

So reports the Independent on Sunday:

Conservative MEPs have consistently voted against a string of measures to protect women’s rights.

Analysis of the record of 25 Tory members of the European Parliament this year shows they voted against, or abstained, eight times on issues relating to sexual equality, family-friendly working hours, maternity leave and reproductive health – often in clear defiance of official Conservative Party policy.

The MEPs also failed to back an EU resolution expressing concern about homophobic attacks in Croatia, which is seeking EU membership…

On 25 February, 22 out of 25 Tory MEPs voted against a resolution calling for the EU to become a party to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. The remaining three did not vote.

On 10 February, seven measures on a report on equality for women in the EU saw the majority of Tory MEPs voting against or abstaining. The measures included giving better protection to women on maternity leave, backing women’s easy access to contraception and abortion, and making men more aware of their responsibilities for sexual and reproductive health.

Also on 10 February, one Tory MEP opposed, with 16 abstaining, a motion calling on the Croatian government to do more to crack down on homophobic attacks in the country. No Tory MEPs voted in favour.

Fiona Hall, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Europe, said: “For the Tories to suggest that it is in women’s interests to vote for them is downright cheek. We have looked at the voting record of Conservative MEPs and one thing is very clear: the Conservatives are a danger to women.”

You can read the full story here.

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2 Comments

  • Stephen Hardy 28th Mar '10 - 11:23pm

    In Conservative seats we need to hammer home these reactionary views of Torys MEPs, often led by Dan Hannan and his outrageous views on the NHS. Expose the hypocrisy of Cameron and his Eurosceptic henchpeople, cosied up to fascist footsoldiers.

  • Hywel 29th Mar '10 - 12:46am

    “backing women’s easy access to contraception and abortion, and making men more aware of their responsibilities for sexual and reproductive health.”

    Things I support – but are these issues which are in the competence of the EU. There is a case for voting against measures which you might support at a national or local level but don’t think should be legislated on at a European level.

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