2005 (63 articles)

Archives

• 01 December 2005: SNP MEP CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF REDUCED VAT SCHEME
  

  SNP MEP Ian Hudghton is calling for a special EU scheme that allows reduced rates of VAT in some sectors to be extended. Mr Hudghton made the call during a debate in the European Parliament this morn...

• 30 November 2005: SNP CALLS FOR STABILITY FOR FISHING FLEET
  

  "Negotiations Must Reflect Scots Sacrifices" The SNP has called for recent sacrifices by the Scottish fishing fleet to be taken into account in this year's negotiations for fishing quotas. SNP Fisher...

• 29 November 2005: MEPs CALL FOR KING OF SCOTS STATUE CAMPAIGN
  

  Hudghton Backs City Monument Scottish National Party MEP, Ian Hudghton, has expressed his support for the construction of a monument in Aberdeen city dedicated to the legacy of medieval monarch, Robe...

• 23 November 2005: SINGLE EURO FLAG PLAN SLAMMED
  

  Euro Commission Caught Trying To Sneak Through Single European Flag For Boats SNP MEP Ian Hudghton has described as 'utterly ridiculous' the suggestion that boats in Europe should be forced to fly th...

• 22 November 2005: BLOW TO EU-US PASSENGER DATA ACCORD WELCOMED
  

  SNP/PLAID Hail Civil Liberties Victory Scottish and Welsh nationalist MEPs have given a guarded welcome to today's European Court of Justice recommendation that calls for the annulment of an agreemen...

• 18 November 2005: SUPERMARKETS DOMINATE FISHING INDUSTRY SAYS MEP
  

  Hudghton Writes To Boyack Scottish National Party MEP, Ian Hudghton, has written to Sarah Boyack MSP, Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Environment and Rural Development Committee, urging that th...

• 17 November 2005: POLITICIANS ON CITY BUSINESS VISIT
  

  Brian Adam And Ian Hudghton Meet City Businesses Scottish National Party duo Brian Adam MSP for Aberdeen North and Ian Hudghton MEP will be making a joint visit to Aberdeen businesses tomorrow mornin...

• 17 November 2005: MEP SALUTES AWARD WINNING CITY MEDICAL UNITS
  

  Hudghton Highlights Aberdeen Success Scottish National Party MEP, Ian Hudghton, has sent messages of congratulations to award winning Aberdeen medical units. At the annual Scottish Health Awards, th...

• 17 November 2005: HUDGHTON CALLS FOR ZERO VAT ON FRUIT JUICES
  

  SNP President, Ian Hudghton MEP is asking the European Commission to consider introducing a zero VAT rate for fresh fruit juices. Currently throughout the EU VAT is charged at the standard rate on fr...

• 16 November 2005: SNP MEPs AND FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ON KEY CHEMICALS VOTE
  

  Call On Scottish MEPs To Support The "Green-EFA/GUE Compromise Package" The Scottish National Party Group in the European Parliament today joined with Friends of the Earth Scotland to call on fellow ...

• 16 November 2005: UK EU PRESIDENCY TRIVIALISES FISHING
  

  Alexander's 'Petulant And Offensive Response' Criticised SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has described Europe Minister Douglas Alexander's remarks in response to a debate in the European Parliament in...

• 15 November 2005: LABOUR WEAKENS LINE ON CONTINUED SHETLAND BOX
  

  "Political Realities Mean Tough Fight Ahead" SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has today reacted with disappointment at a report written by a Scottish Labour MEP on the future of the protected waters ar...

• 08 November 2005: SNP MEP WELCOMES EU LANGUAGES ACCORD
  

  'Agreement Gives New Hope To Campaigners For Gaelic' Scottish National Party MEP Ian Hudghton welcomed last night's agreement on languages at an EU Ministers meeting in Brussels as a great opportunit...

• 03 November 2005: SNP WELCOMES MOVES TOWARDS CATALAN AUTONOMY
  

  "Progress Leads To Independence" SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has today welcomed a vote in the Spanish parliament which will open the way to fuller autonomy for Catalonia. The Madrid parliament has...

• 31 October 2005: SNP MEP APPALLED BY ‘INSENSITIVE’ UK MINISTER
  

  Hudghton In Plea For Coastal And Island Communities SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has condemned the insensitive response given by UK Minister Douglas Alexander MP, to a plea for political priority t...

• 26 October 2005: SNP MEP SLAMS ‘EMPTY’ BLAIR’s SPEECH TO EURO PARLIAMENT
  

  Speaking in this afternoon's debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the UK's EU Presidency, addressed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, SNP MEP Ian Hudghton described Mr Blair's performance at...

• 17 October 2005: SNP URGES STABILITY FOR FISHERMEN AS SCIENTISTS PREPARE TO PUBLISH KEY REPORT
  

  Speaking after today's announcement that marine scientists will publish a key fisheries report this Friday, SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has urged decision makers to ensure that Scotland's fishing c...

• 10 October 2005: SNP WRITES TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION OVER FAILED GLASGOW BID
  

  SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has today written to the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso seeking clarification as to whether the United Kingdom put forward a serious bid to loc...

• 05 October 2005: SNP MEP SLAMS ‘RIP-OFF’ PHONE CHARGES
  

  SNP Euro-MP Ian Hudghton has welcomed new EU proposals to deal with the high charges mobile phone users encounter to call home from abroad. The SNP MEP spoke out after European Commission research pu...

• 03 October 2005: SNP MEP SLAMS UK 'DITHERING' ON TURKEY's EU BID
  

  Commenting on the UK Government's handling of negotiations on opening talks for Turkey's bid to join the EU, SNP European Spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has criticised the UK's 'dithering' approach to ...

• 25 September 2005: IAN HUDGHTON SUCCEEDS WINNIE AS SNP PRESIDENT
  

  At the Scottish National Party Annual Conference in Aviemore at the weekend, Ian Hudghton MEP scored a resounding victory in the election of a successor to Dr. Winnie Ewing as President of the Party. ...

• 13 September 2005: COMMISSION SERVES NOTICE ON SHETLAND FISHERIES
  

  SNP Europe spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP today called on politicians across Scotland to unite to save key fishing grounds around Shetland. The call comes after the European Commission published a pape...

• 07 September 2005: SNP MEPs WELCOME SUN BAN REJECTION
  

  SNP Euro-MPs Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith have welcomed today's European Parliament vote to reject the so-called 'tan-ban'. Both Mr Hudghton and Mr Smith voted against plans to include sunlight in new ...

• 05 September 2005: MEP IN MOBILE SURGERY TOUR
  

  The Scottish National Party's mobile surgery caravan will be back on the road next week. MSP Roseanna Cunningham and MEP Ian Hudghton and will be out and about in Perth Constituency next Monday, 12 Se...

• 12 July 2005: BROWN SILENT ON SCOTTISH FUNDING LOSS
  

  "Price Tag For Blair And Brown's Arrogance Is Over A Billion Pounds Lost To Scotland" - Hudghton SNP European Spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has challenged UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown ...

• 11 July 2005: UK SNUB FOR SCOTTISH MINISTER
  

  "Bag Carrier Finnie Kept In Place" SNP European affairs spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has hit out after the UK Fisheries Minister confirmed to the European Parliament that the Scottish Fisheries Mini...

• 07 July 2005: EU DOUBLE-TAG SHEEP ID SCHEME SUNK
  

  SNP European Spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has welcomed the news that a controversial EU Sheep ID scheme will not apply to Scotland. The SNP MEP has been campaigning against the scheme in the European...

• 06 July 2005: SNP WELCOMES REJECTION OF SOFTWARE PATENTS
  

  "Victory For European Democracy" SNP European spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has today (Wednesday) welcomed a European Parliament vote to reject proposals to introduce EU-wide software patents. The SN...

• 05 July 2005: DETOXING BARBIE: A HAPPY END FOR CHILDREN’S TOYS
  

  MEPs Vote To Ban Plastic-Softening Phthalates MEPs today reached an agreement with the European Council on the phasing out of dangerous softeners in toys and childcare articles. A vote in the Parlia...

• 05 July 2005: SNP MEP: EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND PLANS NOT GOOD ENOUGH
  

  SNP MEP Ian Hudghton has criticised new proposals for a European Fisheries Fund to replace the current arrangements for financial aid to fishermen. MEPs meeting in Strasbourg were discussing plans to...

• 23 June 2005: SNP MEP CHALLENGES BLAIR FOR FAILING SCOTS’ INTERESTS
  

  SNP European Spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP challenged UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in the European Parliament this morning for having repeatedly sold out Scots interests in a series of 'cobbled togeth...

• 14 June 2005: SNP WELCOMES NEW EU STATUS FOR IRISH LANGUAGE
  

  The SNP has welcomed news that the Irish language has been given official and working status in the EU's institutions. SNP Europe spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP was commenting after EU Foreign Minister...

• 08 June 2005: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES FOR CONTINUED FUNDING FOR SCOTLAND
  

  "Now Up To The Member State Governments - Hopefully The UK Will Be A Bit More Constructive" The two SNP MEPs in the European Parliament have today joined with colleagues from across Europe in recomme...

• 02 June 2005: SNP MEPs ON DUTCH EU CONSTITUTION REFERENDUM
  

  EU Heads Of Governments Should Now Give The Constitution Up For Dead' Responding to the Dutch people's overwhelming rejection of the proposed EU constitution, SNP MEPs Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith sai...

• 30 May 2005: SNP MEPs RESPOND TO FRENCH REFERENDUM RESULTS
  

  Commenting on the 'no' vote in France's referendum on the draft EU Constitutional Treaty, SNP Euro-MPs Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith, called for the verdict of the French people to be respected and desc...

• 11 May 2005: WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE VOTE A POOR DECISION
  

  "Will Do Little For Safety, The Economy, Workers Or Business" The SNP MEPs in the European Parliament have today voted against proposals to remove the UK opt out from the European Working Time Direct...

• 10 May 2005: SNP MEP WELCOMES BACKING FOR CLEARER VAT RULES
  

  Reduced Rates For Key Sectors Preserved SNP European Spokesman Ian Hudghton MEP has welcomed the European Parliament's backing for streamlining complex EU rules on VAT or value added tax. Mr Hudghton...

• 26 April 2005: COMMISSION PAINTS UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR SHETLAND FISHING
  

  "Ministers Must Fight Tooth And Nail For Shetland Box" - Hudghton SNP European spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has expressed his concerns about the future well-being of the Shetland fishing industry af...

• 13 April 2005: SNP MEP SLAMS UNPOPULAR EU POLICIES
  

  SNP Euro-MP Ian Hudghton told European Commission Chief José Manual Barroso today that the EC's failure to heed the concerns of the people of Scotland was to blame for the increasing unpopularity of E...

• 13 April 2005: SNP MEPs BACK BULGARIA & ROMANIA EU MEMBERSHIP BID
  

  MEPs Give Green Light To Two New Member States SNP Euro-MPs Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith voted to back Bulgaria and Romania's bid for EU membership in a key vote at the European Parliament in Strasbou...

• 07 April 2005: MANDELSON SPIN ADDICTION RISKS TRADE RELATIONS
  

  SNP European Spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has said that the UK's European Commissioner Peter Mandelson needs to 'learn how to behave properly in international negotiations'. Mr Hudghton's criticism ...

• 06 April 2005: HUDGHTON WELCOMES FOOD SUPPLEMENTS RULING
  

  SNP MEP Ian Hudghton is welcoming a legal opinion, issued yesterday by the European Court of Justice which will cast doubt on EU proposals to take several food supplements and vitamins off the counter...

• 21 March 2005: HUDGHTON SEEKS RIGHTS FOR CARERS
  

  Ian Hudghton, SNP Member of the European Parliament is asking the European Commission to bring forward legislation to give Europe's carers the recognition and rights they deserve. The MEP says the ro...

• 16 March 2005: HUDGHTON DEMANDS HONEST FOOD LABELLING
  

  SNP Member of the European Parliament, Ian Hudghton, is welcoming EU moves which, if passed by Parliament, could bring more honesty to food labelling. Mr Hudghton, a member of the Parliament's Interna...

• 16 March 2005: SNP MEP ON CROATIA EU MEMBERSHIP
  

  Scottish National Party European Spokesperson Ian Hudghton has welcomed today's decision to delay the start of talks on Croatia's membership of the European Union. But he urged EU leaders to be ready ...

• 14 March 2005: COMMISSION RETHINKS ITS OWN RETHINK - SNP MEP CONCERNED
  

  SNP European Spokesman Ian Hudghton has expressed concern following comments by Euro Commission President José Manuel Barroso on the controversial 'Services Directive'. Mr Barroso reportedly told a Br...

• 09 March 2005: SNP DEMANDS TRANSLATED CONSTITUTION
  

  "Good Enough For Wales - Good Enough For Scotland" The SNP has stepped up its campaign to have the proposed EU Constitution translated into Scotland's indigenous languages. The move comes after it em...

• 08 March 2005: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
  

  SNP MEP, Ian Hudghton has joined forces with Plaid Cymru MEP, Jill Evans in demanding that positive action be taken to increase the participation of women in political and public life. The nationalis...

• 07 March 2005: EU MINISTER’S BLOW TO SMALL SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
  

  SNP European Spokesman Ian Hudghton MEP has criticised European Economics Ministers who today backed controversial new rules on software patents that many fear could have a severely detrimental effect...

• 04 March 2005: FRENCH REFERENDUM ANNOUNCEMENT PUTS PRESSURE ON BLAIR
  

  Commenting on reports that France will hold a referendum on the proposed European Constitution on 29 May, SNP European Spokesman Ian Hudghton MEP has called on UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to 'stop hi...

• 03 March 2005: HUDGHTON HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO RESPECT STANDARDS IN SERVICES
  

  Cautious Welcome For Rethink On Services Directive SNP European Spokesman Ian Hudghton MEP has welcomed the European Commission's climb-down on key parts of proposed new rules governing how services ...

• 24 February 2005: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEMANDS CLOSURE OF BASQUE NEWSPAPER
  

  "Europe Must Respect Views Of Asia" SNP Europe spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP today welcomed a vote in the European Parliament which demanded a rethink on the European Commission's proposal to send de...

• 23 February 2005: EURO-MPs DENOUNCE CLOSURE OF BASQUE NEWSPAPER
  

  Euro-MPs from a variety of countries and political traditions joined forces in Strasbourg today to protest at the ongoing closure of Egunkaria - the only newspaper in the Basque language. At a press c...

• 22 February 2005: EU HEALTH PRIVATISATION THREAT
  

  New state aid rules could force privatisation of health and social housing by the back door Proposals for new EU rules that could threaten government funding for hospitals and council housing are bein...

• 15 February 2005: SNP/PLAID ON TRANSLATING EU CONSTITUTION
  

  Six Month Deadline Looming For Language Decision SNP and Plaid Cymru Euro-MPs have urged the UK Government to get a move on if the proposed EU constitution is to be translated into Welsh and Scots Ga...

• 01 February 2005: HUDGHTON SEEKS EU SAFEGUARD FOR BEES
  

  SNP Member of the European Parliament, Ian Hudghton, is seeking EU Commission assurances that they have done everything possible to prevent the spread of Small Hive Beetles to Scotland. The MEP's acti...

• 01 February 2005: SCOTLAND TRAILING OTHER SMALL NATIONS IN LATEST EU WEALTH FIGURES
  

  "Independence Is The Missing Ingredient" - Hudghton Commenting today (Wednesday) on the publication of the latest EU wealth figures, SNP European spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP highlighted the poor pe...

• 24 January 2005: SCOTS FISHERMAN’S TSUNAMI HELP OFFER
  

  Fisheries Council Meeting Should Co-ordinate Offers For Long Term Assistance Commenting on the meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers in Brussels which is looking at the situation in count...

• 12 January 2005: LUXEMBOURG - A SMALL EUROPEAN NATION AT THE EU’S HELM
  

  Ian Hudghton, SNP Leader in the European Parliament today congratulated a small, independent European nation as it embarked on its six-month tenure at the helm of the EU. With its population of only 4...

• 12 January 2005: SNP EURO-MPs ON EU CONSTITUTION
  

  SNP MEPs Ian Hudghton MEP and Alyn Smith MEP today voted against the European Parliament's report on the draft EU Constitution. Both condemned the London-led parties for voting in favour of giving co...

• 12 January 2005: LONDON PARTIES UNITE TO VOTE AGAINST NATIONAL CONTROL OF FISHERIES
  

  "Rank Hypocrisy Of Tories And Liberals" SNP European spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP and Party Leader Alex Salmond MP today (Wednesday) condemned the London-led parties for voting in favour of giving c...

• 11 January 2005: SNP MEP BACKING PENSIONS INQUIRY
  

  SNP MEP Ian Hudghton is backing a full European Parliament inquiry into the financial problems at Equitable Life which have seen many people in Scotland lose a significant amount of their pensions sav...

• 11 January 2005: SNP CALLS FOR FISHERIES TO BE LEFT OUT OF EU TREATY
  

  Labour, Tories and Lib Dems challenged to back Scotland's fishing communities Speaking in the European Parliament's debate on the draft EU Constitution, SNP European Leader Ian Hudghton MEP challenge...