18th April 2008 Event - Sharon Bowles MEP

Members of the public are invited to attend Canterbury Christ Church University's Making Politics Matter event on Friday 18th April at 4.30pm.

Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for the South East, Sharon Bowles, will give a talk entitled ‘The representation of Britain’s interests in the EU’. Ms Bowles MEP is currently leading a campaign to save international train services in Ashford.

The University’s Making Politics Matter event is part of a series of events at which eminent politicians engage with the local community on a number of political issues to try and get people across Kent more interested and involved in politics.

Canterbury Christ Church University’s Politics Programme Director, Dr David Bates, said: “Britain’s role in the European Union is an issue that generates very strong reactions from the general public. Whatever people’s views, Europe is not an issue that can be avoided. European politics covers everything from international security issues and environment and sustainability, to human rights and the economy. This forum will provide everyone with an opportunity to debate the issues and find out more about what Britain’s role in the EU is and what a European MEP actually does.”

Dr Bates continued: “We are delighted to welcome Sharon Bowles MEP to the University to talk about her work and the issues at stake. Ms Bowles MEP holds strong views on a wide range of crucial issues from China’s international human rights policy to the EU’s move to give the UK £120 million for flood repair, and therefore, I feel, members of the public will find the event of great interest to them.”

The event is free and is open to all local residents and the media. It will take place at the University’s Old Sessions House lecture theatre, Longport, Canterbury.
If you are a member of the public, and would like to attend this event, you do not need book. If you are a member of the media and would like to attend, please contact Canterbury Christ Church University’s Media Relations Officer, Claire Draper, on 01227 782391.


About the speaker:
Having been elected third to the Liberal Democrats list for the South East European Elections in June 2004, Sharon became a member of the European Parliament in May 2005, replacing Chris Huhne who stood down following his election in Eastleigh in the 2005 General Election.

On arrival in May 2005, Sharon became a full member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and in February 2006 was central in the formation of the Committee of Inquiry into the crisis of the Equitable Life Assurance Society. As shadow Rapporteur for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), Sharon has been a key player in the Payment Services Directive (PSD) negotiations. As rapporteur she is leading for the Parliament on fiscal fraud and has recently been appointed shadow rapporteur on Solvency II. However, her technical and professional experience has meant she has been involved in a range of matters spread over many other committees. She took an active part in the latter stages of the debate on Computer Implemented Inventions and has been closely following all matters relating to Intellectual Property. In January 2007, Sharon also became a substitute member of the Legal Affairs committee.

She is married to Andrew Horton and has two sons, Remy and Damian.