UKIP slam Labour MEP’s ‘rank hypocrisy’ over European Parliament activity level
MEP activity levels revealed – shows UKIP’s single MEP in the
North East, works harder than the region’s two Labour MEPs
combined.
Mr Arnott says it is an example of ‘rank hypocrisy that is
engrained in the Labour Party’, and that the Labour Party in the North East is
becoming ‘all smear and no substance’ in its constant attacks on
UKIP.
As 2014’s MEP activity figures are revealed, Labour’s two North East MEPs
have been accused of ‘rank hypocrisy’, by UKIP’s North East Euro MP, Jonathan
Arnott.
The claim comes as final activity figures of MEPs within the European
Parliament were revealed by independent organisation, MEPRanking, showing that
Mr. Arnott is one of the hardest-working MEPs anywhere in the
country.
Figures released show that Mr Arnott has made 73 speeches in the European
Parliament, in comparison to Labour’s combined
total of just 6, since their term of office began on the 1st
July.
Mr Arnott’s figure is the highest of any British MEP of any Party, and
9th out of all 750 MEPs in the European Parliament.
Figures also show that Arnott, UKIP’s first ever elected MEP for the
North East, has asked 36 parliamentary questions to the European Commission on
behalf of constituents, in comparison to a combined total of
the two Labour MEPs of just 15.
Shortly after the European election results, Labour MEP Jude
Kirton-Darling said “I think there’s a responsibility if you are elected by
people, to properly represent them in the organisation you are elected to. Up
till now, Jonathan Arnott said he is not going to participate in the European
Parliament, I think that is a betrayal of the electorate”.
In the Journal (31st October), Labour’s David Anderson MP added “When Mr
Arnott and his colleagues start attending their jobs regularly in Brussels and
Strasbourg and do their job for which they were elected they might be listened
to more”.
Following the news, UKIP’s local Euro MP Jonathan Arnott said “This is
yet another fine example of the lies that were made about me in the run up to
the European elections, and the rank hypocrisy that is engrained in the Labour
Party. I had never said that I wouldn’t participate, merely that I wanted to
spend time back in the UK working hard for my constituents as well. These
figures clearly show that I’ve worked much harder in the European Parliament
than both Labour MEPs put together.”
Mr Arnott pointed to public meetings he has attended in recent months to
meet constituents at various locations across the North East, including Alnwick,
Blyth, Bedlington, Cramlington, Gateshead and Middlesbrough – with more planned
in January and February.
“When you compare the record of Labour’s MEPs to mine, it’s rank
hypocrisy for them to make these claims. The Labour Party in the North East is
becoming ‘all smear and no substance’ in its constant attacks on UKIP, even when
they have been categorically proven wrong” added Arnott. Journal.
Notes to the editor:
MEPRanking – Record of Jonathan Arnott MEP: http://www.mepranking.eu/mep.php?id=124958
MEPRanking – Record of Jude Kirton Darling MEP: http://www.mepranking.eu/mep.php?id=124953
MEPRanking – Record of Paul Brannen MEP: http://www.mepranking.eu/mep.php?id=124954
