Boris Johnson MP, prominent Tory, gives a sickening example of the hypocrisy of the Conservative Eurosceptics in his recent column in the Telegraph. In objecting to the recent legislation requiring the protection of children in cars through booster seats, he complains that:

“It is, of course, an EU directive, which means that elected British politicians have been given neither the means nor the opportunity to contest it – or even to debate it.”

What nonsense! And furthermore, he knows this to be a lie.

Was there no British Minister in the Council meeting when this was adopted? Of course there was, and Britain supported the measure, along with other elected governments.

Are there no British MEPs present in the elected European Parliament? Of course there are, even from Boris Johnson’s own party, who supported the measure.

Was it not discussed in the House of Commons? Of course it was, not least by the Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, which, on Wednesday 5 July 2006, approved the measure in the form of the Draft Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, where even the spokesman from Boris Johnson’s own party welcomed the new regulations.

And as to the reasons for the measure, they are not, as Boris Johnson fantasizes, because “a few years ago some lonely and bored European Commission official was persuaded (no doubt by the booster seat industry) that in some circumstances children under 135cm would be safer with booster seats”, but because elected politicians in the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament examined and accepted what experts on road safety were saying.

Seatbelts in cars are designed for adults. Children, being both smaller and lighter, need an adapted form of protection. This measure will save lives and prevent injuries.

Boris says that this may only be one and a half lives saved per year. Even if it is so low, that would mean 15 children saved over the next 10 years – and far more spared from serious injury. Scarcely a case of evil intent by the EU! Yet Boris says he is “shocked by the depth of my own anger”. He describes it as a ”stupid and impertinent law” and says that there is a is a “perfect and justifiable reason for massive civil disobedience”!

I am used to froth and hyperbole from the Eurosceptics, but this ranks right up there with the silliest!