European Services Directive

This Directive has been voted on by the European Parliament over the last few days. The Directive does not particularly annoy me, as I feel it is a reasonably sensible piece of legislation. It does away with the protectionism in most EU countries and allows the markets to determine the level of services and pricing. For example, it would make it possible for a non-Austrian to become a mountain guide in Austria, and a qualified architect to set up in any EU country.

I had particular reservations over the "country of origin" principle, where in principle an eastern European building company could set up in the UK using their home Regulations, labour laws and building standards. This would mean they would would (a) potentially build to a lower standard, (b) have a lower level of H&S on site, and (c) have an immediate and unfair advantage over UK companies.

This principle was voted out by the (democratically elected and accountable) European Parliament, which has turned into a slightly more effective body over the last few years, rather than being the gravy train of the eighties.
The response of the (unelected, unaccountable appointee of our beloved
president) Commissioner who was trying to force through the Directive as it was (on last night's Newsnight)?

"Well, obviously it's not what I wanted". Those who pretend to be democrats only when it suits them... Just because it's what you want, does not mean that you can always get your way. The EU is already a nannying super-state.

The Commissioner in question? Oh, that
twice-sacked-in-disgrace-but-is-rewarded-with-a-cushy-number former minister, step forward Peter Mandelson.

Nearly as democratic as speed cameras and the smoking ban, but that's another post.