“The Commissioners head a Department, but elected MEP vote on what becomes law. Seems democratic to me.”
We can argue until the cows come home about the “democratic deficit” (or otherwise) exhibited by the EU. But let’s have a look. Essentially the process is this: the UK Prime Minister appoints a “Commissioner” to represent our interests (but see below) within the EU’s “Commission”. These are often people of whom few people have ever heard or failed or failing politicians. Former appointees to the post whom I would include in the first category are such notable public figures as The Lord Cockfield, Bruce Millan, George Thompson, Ivor Richard and Catherine Ashton. In the latter category you can find Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten. Note when you consider those names that The Commission is the only body that can initiate legislation (much of which has a profound impact on businesses and people across the EU). As outlined above, our only elected representatives (MEPs) have no say in the formulation of that legislation; they either accept it or reject it (in which case some of the headings will be changed, the text re-ordered and the proposal stuck under the noses of the MEPs again….and again…and again – I’m sure you get the picture).
So what of our current Commissioner? He is one Sir Julian Beresford King (no, me neither). Apparently he is a diplomat and civil servant who served as Ambassador to Ireland and France and Director General of the Northern Ireland Office. When he was appointed this was said of him:
“The man likely to be the Britain’s last European commissioner has vowed he will act in the EU’s interest, rather than be London’s voice in Brussels.”
He himself is on record as saying that he would act in the common interest [of the entire EU] if confirmed in the post. “I know the high levels of integrity and impartiality as well as European commitment that you will rightly expect of me,” he told MEPs at a hearing designed to test his suitability for the job. “I am genuinely not here to speak for Her Majesty’s government.”
So, The Prime Minister of the day appoints a Commissioner and usually you have either never heard of them or they are politicians who have been rejected or are past their sell by date at home. They (and 27 others similarly appointed by foreign leaders) are the people who make the decisions that affect every person in this country. If that sounds democratic to you the you must have a different interpretation of that term than I do.