Liddell Calls on Scottish Women To Ignore 'The Macho Posturing' on Europe
04 Nov 2002
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell today called on Scottish women to engage in the current debate on the future of the European Union.
Mrs Liddell's call came on the back of research which shows that women are less supportive than men of UK membership of the European Union.
Speaking at the European Commission sponsored "Women and the Changing EU" conference in Glasgow, Mrs Liddell said:
"The European Union has delivered so many results on issues that matter to women. These include improved employment rights for pregnant women and protection for part time workers, the majority of whom are women.
"However the reality is most citizens cannot identify the benefits the EU is bringing to their lives. More needs to be done, and that is why we are having this conference today. This is not helped by the often misleading and inaccurate stories published in some sections of the media.
"Much of the macho posturing we hear on the European debate comes from people with a heavy vested interest or a deep rooted prejudice. Many women blank out the debate because they cannot be bothered with the theatrics. The future of Europe, from Enlargement to the Euro has a profound effect on women’s lives and we should seize the agenda."
Notes for News Editors
- The conference was arranged by the European Commission Representative Office in Scotland, with the help of the Scotland Office. The office is headed by Elizabeth Holt. The conference will take place at the Lighthouse venue in Mitchell Lane, Glasgow.
- The research was conducted by ICM and commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in October 2001. The research shows that only 41% of women think that the UK’s membership of the European Union is a ‘good thing’ compared with 55% of men. 35% of women questioned are undecided about EU membership compared with 20% of men.
- The debate on the future of the EU was called by EU leaders at the Laeken European Council. They agreed that the Convention on Europe’s future would develop ideas on how the EU might operate after it takes in up to 10 new Member States in 2004. The Convention, chaired by Valery Giscard d’Estaing, is also tasked with looking at ways that the EU might better connect itself with Europe’s citizens. The final decisions on reform will be taken by national governments by unanimity in 2004.
- Further details on the debate and the convention can be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, or alternatively at the Europa website, http://europa.eu.int