Question Time with President Barroso

Local MEP Vicky Ford was one of the first MEPs to ask European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, a question in a new 'Prime Ministers Questions' style event at the European Parliament.

Mr Barroso had promised to submit himself to MEPs for one hour of unscripted questioning last month when he stood for re-election as European Commission President.

Mrs Ford's question focused on the EU budget,  which MEPs are debating this week and voting on this Thursday. She asked President Barroso how he would vote, given the burdens already facing national public purses. She also asked why, in the current economic environment, the parliament persists with its Strasbourg circus.

After Question Time, Mrs Ford said:

"I wanted to highlight the huge amount of waste there still is in the EU budget, even as its priorities shift slowly away from subsidies and more towards funding for science and technology.

"At a time when all national governments are being asked to tighten their belts, I wanted to make the point that the EU should do the same. Unfortunately, President Barroso's answer was quite evasive as I had expected but nevertheless the point needed to be made."

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