Welsh nomination call from Plaid Cymru as Number 10 mulls UK Euro Commissioner appointment
Plaid Cymru Member of the European Parliament Jill Evans has called for the UK Government to recognise democratic reality by involving the devolved administrations in the selection of the next European Commissioner post. She also said that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should have the ability to question and endorse the UK Government’s preferred nominee in the devolved parliaments and assemblies.
Jill Evans MEP made the call in light of a leaked memo from Downing Street which called for a “heavyweight” figure to be given the key UK role. The next EU Commission is being assembled this summer and will sit a five year term amidst serious questions over the future of the UK and Wales’ role in the EU.
A range of different Commissioner portfolios are available across all of the traditional policy fields, and the leaked memo within the UK Government suggests that a recognised political figure should take the role, rather than a businessperson.
But Plaid Cymru believes that as part of recognising the UK as a collection of nations, the UK Government should invite nominations from Wales, northern Ireland and Scotland this side of the independence referendum.
The Party of Wales’ MEP Jill Evans said:
“The debate about the next UK EU Commissioner is heating up but as we can see from the leaked memo from Downing Street, it is being done behind closed doors. It is also being done without any input from the devolved administrations.
“The UK Government must recognise democratic reality by giving the nations and devolved governments a say in who is appointed for the five year term and also a role in endorsing whoever gets appointed.
“The National Assembly should be able to nominate a person from Wales, or if it prefers a figure from outside Wales, to take on the role.
“While Commissioners should be independent of governments, an understanding of the Welsh national interest and not just the interests of the UK Government would improve legislation and make Europe work better for Wales.”
