letter to the editor from Richard Corbett MEP |
|
27th June 2008 |
|
Tribune |
|
Dear Editor, Those who hope that a Tory government would not just take its orders from the US will be disappointed by their stance on Galileo, the European Global Positioning System. The current GPS system - used most commonly for SatNav in cars - is owned, operated and controlled by the US military, who have the power to deny the service to whoever they please, if it does not conform to US military priorities. By contrast, Galileo would amount to an alternative system of 30 satellites, under civilian rather than military control. It will be more accurate than the US system and be valuable to both the aviation and search and rescue organisations. The US have always been opposed to Galileo as it would remove their monopoly and dominance over the GPS system. In the final vote, 95% of MEPs voted in favour of Galileo, the Tories were the only major delegation to oppose it. It is revealing that the Tories are still happy to take their orders from the Pentagon. Yours, Richard Corbett Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
|
|