Euro MEPs are revolting. Consternation erupted this week in Strasbourg because new regulations require them to be in the chamber for roll-call votes and, horror or horrors, if they miss half the votes on any given day they lose their full daily allowance for attending parliament - about £184.
It is not always possible to know in advance when roll-call votes will occur. So, on the first day of the draconian new system 526 MEPs in Strasbourg, out of the 626 total, felt forced to stay in the chamber throughout, even though many were not participating in most of business. "Treated like children" and "without dignity" were some of the translated responses.
Niall Andrews explained how he was unable to go to the toilet or even have a cup of coffee during voting. Mary Banotti wondered whether she should sue the airline Sabena, which she blames for missing Tuesday morning's entire session, as she returned from her triumph on winning the European of the Year award in Dublin. "On principle" Pat the Cope Gallagher says he won't vote at all.
It is widely agreed that the new regulations are unworkable, but were introduced because, it is said, there were abuses by some mainland Europe MEPs who signed on and then headed off for the day.