European Parliament Elections
June 4 2009
On the campaign trail with Tina Sommer
FSB EU and International Affairs Chairman
Welcome to the FSB's European Election campaign page. In these elections the FSB is urging all candidates to demonstrate how they will support small businesses if they are elected. Visit this page for updates on the FSB's campaign in the build-up to polling day on June 4th.
> FSB Scotland European Election Hustings
FSB Scotland and Amnesty International held a joint European Election hustings in the Hillhead Library in Glasgow. The hustings were chaired by prominent Scottish journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch. To listen to a podcast of the hustings click here.
> Ian Parsley, Alliance Party candidate, sets out what he would do to make life easier for Northern Ireland's small businesses
You have watched in bewilderment as a global economic crisis was met by your money bring used to bail out the banks whose very irresponsibility has caused the problem in the first place. More
> Malcolm Harbour MEP explanis how the Conservative Party is making Europe a better place for small businesses
The importance of the principle, "think small first" is not just central to our manifesto but has been at the heart of our policy making in the last two legislatures. More
> FSB East of England European Question Time
The FSB in the East of England held a "European Question Time" as part of their annual policy conference. This provided an opportunity for FSB members to meet and question candidates standing in the European Elections on 4th June. More
> Diane Dodds, DUP candidate, explains what the DUP are doing to help small businesses in Northern Ireland
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) supports reduced regulation and an end to directives which restrict small businesses and increase their costs. More
> Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP explains what the Green Party would do to help small businesses
Small businesses are under pressure as never before. Huge supermarkets destroy local shops and exploit the smaller companies that supply them. More
> FSB European Elections Podcast
Download the FSB podcast on issues candidates for the European Parliament should consider when canvassing for the small business vote.
> Libertas UK Party Chairman Andrew Jamieson sets out his nine point plan to make life easier for Europe's small businesses
Libertas is committed to less and better regulation in the European Single Market. More
> Jill Evans MEP sets out how Plaid Cymru will get a good deal from Europe for small businesses in Wales
The economy of Wales is largely based around small-medium sized enterprises, often family firms or small businesses in a close-knit community. More
> FSB West Midlands European Policy Dinner
The FSB in the West Midlands held a European Policy Dinner on 12th May at the National Motor Cycle Museum near Birmingham to launch the FSB's European Election Manifesto to the West Midlands European Parliamentary candidates. More
> Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MP/MSP explains what the SNP has been doing to help small businesses in Scotland
The SNP, both in government in Scotland and in Europe, are strong supporters of small businesses. More
> Bairbre de Brun MEP explains how Sinn Fein is working in Europe to help Northern Ireland's small businesses
Small businesses are the life blood of the local economy. How we respond to the challenges facing SMEs and our social economy enterprises will be crucial in the time ahead. More
> Confused about which political party to vote for?
Last week Unlock Democracy launched the Vote Match website (www.votematch.co.uk), a tool to help people understand the difference between parties standing in the European elections. It is a short series of statements with which voters can agree, disagree or remain neutral and be shown which party matches their views most closely. It is completely non-partisan, and also contains links to party websites and pages where people can debate the issues in more detail.
> SDLP candidate Alban Maginness sets out why the growth of small businesses should be at the heart of a strategy for Northern Ireland's economic recovery
The global economic and financial crisis is hitting economies, businesses, workers and citizens all over Europe hard. More
> Jim Allister MEP explains how Traditional Unionist Voice policies will make life better for small businesses in Northern Ireland
The impact of the global economic downturn in Northern Ireland is undeniably severe. Profligate banks and government mismanagement, including a reckless monetary culture, has wreaked havoc across Europe. More
> Nigel Farage MEP explains why UKIP believe small businesses would be better off outside of the European Union
As any random passing economist will tell you, there are no such things as solutions, only tradeoffs. More
> EU manifesto - Think Small First
The FSB's European Elections 2009 manifesto outlines key policy areas we would like candidates to address such as access to finance, procurement and the regulatory burden businesses face.
> Northern Ireland European Election Hustings
FSB Northern Ireland launched its manifesto and met with candidates for the election at the Europa Hotel in Belfast in April.