Catherine Stihler, Scottish Labour MEP

Sir,

On the 28 February 2010 David Cameron made a speech to Parliament claiming that the Conservatives would make Britain the most ‘family friendly country in Europe’.  The voting record of the Conservative MEPs does little to convince many people, throughout Europe, that David Cameron and his party are indeed ‘family friendly’.

In the European Parliament, Conservative MEPs have voted against a whole raft of policies which Cameron claims his party stands for.  In 2006, one Tory MEP voted against a report containing several recommendations to member states and the European Commission on combating violence against women and eighteen Tory MEPs abstained.  The report included making rape within a marriage illegal across Europe.  Conservative MEPs have also opposed equal pay for equal work for both men and women, progressive childcare policies and they even fail to recognise the importance of maternity and paternity rights for working parents.

Conservative bill boards across Britain might make the claim that they are ‘family friendly’, however, their voting record printed in black and white speaks volumes about what they really stand for.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Stihler MEP

Labour MEP for Scotland