Find out how Fiona spends her week

Monday

Unusually for a Monday, I’m in the North East. The DTI is holding a UK Presidency conference in Newcastle-Gateshead on EU regional policy, with Regional Policy Commissioner Hubner and DTI Minister Alun Michael as guests of honour. It is the ideal moment for the launch of North East England in Europe, our region’s look at how it can make best use of the European dimension.

Tuesday

A 5am start to catch the “red eye” flight to Brussels. It is a group week and the Libs and Dems want to take a good look at the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) proposals which will be voted on in the Strasbourg plenary. But there is so much work still going on to reduce the number of amendments that it is not yet possible to discuss the vote in detail.

In the afternoon the Ethiopian Ambassador to the EU asks to see me. He is aware of MEPs’ concerns about the situation in Ethiopia since the May elections and wants to give me his government’s view.

Wednesday

More discussions in the ALDE group on REACH. Back in Durham, caseworker Alison Carter stands in for me at the installation of Bill Bryson as Chancellor of Durham University.

Thursday

Today there is an informal trialogue meeting on the Energy End Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive, involving the Council (represented by a civil servant from UKREP, the UK’s permanent represention in Brussels), the Commission and the European Parliament (represented by each political group’s lead person on this piece of legislation – me, in the case of the Libs and Dems). Progress is difficult. The UK rep claims that “other member states” will never agree to binding targets for energy saving. A friend of mine in the know thinks it is only two countries that are being completely stubborn on this – but Council discussions are shrouded in such secrecy that it is impossible to know what exactly is going on.

Friday

Back in the North East for a busy day. First, I meet some WI members in South Shields who are anxious to know if I will be voting on REACH for a strong line on controlling everyday chemicals. Then it’s off to Guisborough to speak to students at Prior Pursgove College about being an MEP. They are well informed and ask some excellent questions. In the evening I attend a celebration of the inauguration of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s new mosque in Hartlepool, their first purpose-built mosque outside London. Their message is an inspiration for all communities: “Love for all, hatred for no-one”.