Richard Corbett MEP, Labour's spokesman on EU Reform in the European Parliament, has expressed his surprise at yet another Tory split on Europe.

Two Conservative MEPs, Christopher Beazley and Caroline Jackson approved a report that means that the blue flag with twelve gold stars and Beethoven's Ode to Joy will be officially recognised by the Parliament. Twenty two Conservative MEPs voted against, including delegation leader Philip Bushill-Matthews, while five did not vote.

Commenting after the vote, Richard said:

"This vote shows that, not only can the Tories not make their mind up on Europe, but they can't make their mind up about their most successful leader. The blue flag with gold stars and Beethoven's Ode to Joy have been the EU's symbols since a decision taken by Margaret Thatcher and the other prime ministers of EU countries in 1985.

"Lady Thatcher must be disappointed that her party's MEPs clearly have such little faith in her judgement. It says a lot about the extreme Euroscepticism of the Tories that so many of them would disown a decision taken by their political heroine."

"In contrast, although Labour MEPs were concerned by the Thatcher connection to these symbols, in the spirit of cross-party co-operation we were prepared to vote in favour."

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• The European Parliament has endorsed the report by Carlos Carnero to amend its Rules of Procedure to endorse the EU flag and Beethoven's Ode to Joy as its official symbols.

• These symbols were adopted by the European Council, composed of Prime Ministers of the 15 EU countries in 1985.

• Tory MEPs Christopher Beazley and Caroline Jackson voted in favour of the changes to Parliament's rules.

• Richard Ashworth, Sir Robert Atkins, Philip Bradbourn, Philip Bushill-Matthews, Martin Callanan, Giles Chichester, Nirj Deva, Den Dover, Jonathan Evans, Dan Hannan, Malcolm Harbour , Chris Heaton-Harris, Roger Helmer, Syed Kamall, Saj Karim, Tim Kirkhope, Neil Parish, Struan Stevenson, Robert Sturdy, Charles Tannock and Geoffrey Van Orden voted against.

• John Bowis, James Elles, Edward McMillan Scott, John Purvis and David Sumberg did not vote.

more information

Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP

• phone 0113 245 8987
• e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk