Andrew Duff says new European Commission must be 'bolder and better'

1.45.00pm GMT Tue 9th Feb 2010

East of England Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff has voted in favour of the election of the new European Commission today.

He said: "Europe faces its worst financial crisis since the foundation of the euro. President Barroso and his team have no excuse not to act.

"The new Commission has to be bold, original and coherent in initiating law and policy that sets the basis for Europe's economic recovery. The eurozone faces a structural crisis that can only be resolved by much closer fiscal coordination to back up the common monetary policy.

"Britain is facing a very serious economic and financial problem itself, and a strong Commission is essential to our own recovery.

"Liberal Democrats will support Mr Barroso's second Commission if it is innovative in drawing the right conclusions from the present economic collapse and financial instability.

"Thanks to the Treaty of Lisbon, Mr Barroso is the most powerful Commission President there has ever been. If he uses his powers to further the unification of Europe to the benefit of its citizens and states, he may certainly count on the political support of Liberals."

The new Commission has eight Liberal members, 14 Christian Democrats, six socialists and no Tories.

The new Commission was elected by 488 MEPs to 137, with 72 abstentions, in the Strasbourg vote today.

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