5 reasons to vote Lib Dem on 10 June

9.43.01am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jun 2004

Euro candidates, Sharon Bowles, Chris Huhne and Emma Nicholson

1. Chris Huhne and Emma Nicholson have been first rate MEPs. More than 20,000 people in 72 countries voted Emma Nicholson 'MEP of the year' in recognition of her work for human rights and children.

Chris Huhne received an 'MEP of the year' award for his work on behalf of Britain's small businesses.

Chris and Emma have both made a significant impact within the European Parliament. Lib Dems have the best record when it comes to publishing parliamentary reports and achieving real change.

2. The Liberal Democrats will make Europe work better

The Lib Dems believe that the UK needs to be at the heart of the European Union but also that the EU does not work as well as it could.

The Lib Dems want to see the EU concentrate on those issues where it can have a beneficial impact - such as protecting the environment and ensuring a level playing field for trade - but that it should not get involved in decisions that can be made at local or national level.

Chris Huhne has highlighted the huge cost of having two headquarters for the European Parliament. Every month hundreds of MEPs and staff have to move between Brussels and Strasbourg. Both Labour and Conservative Governments have failed to end this waste - the Lib Dems want to see it stop.

3. The Lib Dems are best for the environment

The environment is an area of real success for the European Union. Pollution doesn't stop at national boundaries and we need Europe wide measures to reduce it.

The Lib Dems have a strong record on the environment, well ahead of the other main parties.

According to research by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and other environmental charities Emma Nicholson has the BEST record on environmental issues of all the south east MEPs - even BETTER than the Green Party MEP.

4. The Tories have let us down

Conservative MEPs talk the talk about Europe but don't walk the walk.

The top two candidates on the Conservative list for the south east failed to turn up for a crucial vote on the Takeover Directive - vitally important to south east businesses. As a result the vote was tied and lost.

Conservative MEPs have the poorest record when it comes to publishing parliamentary reports and getting things done.

5. Send Tony Blair a message

The European Elections will be the first national vote since the invasion of Iraq.

Many people are fed up of Labour's broken promises on Top-up Fees, the decision to invade Iraq without UN backing, and the ever rising Council Tax.

On all these issues it has been the Lib Dems who have been the effective opposition and who have put forward real alternatives.

Voting Lib Dem in the European Elections can't change the Government, but it can make them sit up and listen.