Dear James,
At second reading, we want MEPs to commit to putting back in all of the amendments which the Council has just taken out.
It's not easy, but if we work hard enough it's entirely achievable.
I thoroughly agree. While it is easy to get frustrated at the Council's seeming permissiveness on this, we mustn't forget that only a week ago they were talking about this as an A item that could already have been law by now. The fact that one government rejected these proposals (in the council which is usually very isolated from the grass roots) in a short period of time shows that the lobby's united front is actually crumbling.
On this note, I have gone back to the parliament amendments to see who voted for what. I was thinking I could turn this into a database for voters to survey their local candidates before the election. Also we can target our efforts towards the "swing" voters in the larger parties who maybe persuadable- many of them could be have been misled by the lobby last time but it will be less easy now.
I do share however share everyone's dismay at the lack of democracy in this debate thus far- and indeed what can only be described as contempt for the wishes of the public at large.
Sincerely,
Christian