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The Internal Market Bill
November 2020 The EUW British Section Board were appalled at the proposal by the Prime Minister to break international law with clauses 41 to 45 of the Internal Market Bill. As an international organisation, they believe it is doing untold damage to the UK’s reputation not just in Europe but across the world. In the House on 21st September, Rt Hon. Theresa May MP said: “I cannot emphasise enough how concerned I am that a Conservative Government are willing to go back on their word, to break an international agreement signed in good faith and to break international law”. Therefore, on 24th September, Patricia Taylor wrote on behalf of the Board to Theresa May, who was once an EUW member, offering EUW British Section’s full support to her stand on this and applauding her actions, she also indicated that British Section would take this further. A letter was also sent to the Prime Minister informing him of EUW British Section’s disappointment. No replies have yet been received. Since then, now that the Bill is going to Committee Stage, individual letters have been sent to those Peers who are members of the relevant committees informing them that British Section is strongly opposed to clauses 43 and 45 in particular as they are morally wrong and incompatible with the principles of democracy and upholding the rule of law. The letters also expressed concern that the clauses will be re-inserted repeatedly by the Lower House, despite the Upper House rejecting it initially, and noted that British Section hoped the Upper House would stand firm. A further letter has also been sent to Theresa May informing her what British Section has done. EUW Message to Members from British Section Chairman and Organising Secretary
19th March 2020 Dear Members, These are strange times and sadly all our EUW events are postponed or cancelled including the Spring Lunch, the Spring Break, Commissions Day and Europe Alive. Council meetings will not take place for the foreseeable future and the Board members will communicate remotely. We have come through so much since 1953 when we reached out to our fellow Europeans to join in a common cause based on freedom, friendship and understanding. These values will be our modus vivendi in the coming months of trial and tribulation and we will make every endeavour to maintain our relationship with our European sisters as we share a common response to the Corona Virus. We will be sending a message from British Section to our fellow European Sections of hope, condolence and affection so that when we meet again we shall be even stronger. The Prime Minister has described this situation as “war-like”. It should be remembered that women have always had to be strong, resourceful, courageous and knowledgeable in war to protect future generations. In these unprecedented coming weeks and months while we are all social distancing or self-isolating, our Organising Secretary will be writing a weekly quiz for EUW members to participate in if they would like to. Branch Chairmen, please send around to your branch members as well. If any member would like to request a copy directly, please email euw@euw-uk.co.uk. You are also welcome to share with family and friends! Members are invited to return their answers by email or post, so we keep a running total of points and we’ll hand out a little prize at the end. We are all in this together. Also, if this new found time affords you the chance to dig out old EUW photographs or gives you the desire to write EUW memoirs or other interesting articles, which you think fellow EUW members would benefit from receiving, do feel free to send them to us and we will circulate them. Although we will not be meeting physically for some time, it is important to keep communicating between ourselves. Good luck and best wishes, PRESS RELEASE 30th June 2017
The European Union of Women (EUW) held their 32nd Council meeting in Prague at the weekend. The delegates from 13 different countries across Europe met to elect their new President and Board. The new President, Margaret Hales MBE, committed the organisation to an action packed future. "We have resolved today to condemn terrorism and all who assist or fund terrorist attacks against ordinary law abiding citizens. We work to make recommendations on the situation of refugees and migrants remembering that they too are human beings. We reach out in friendship to our sisters in other European countries that are striving to reach democracy. Our principles are peace and justice and we must never forget that." Margaret Hales MBE is British but has lived in Spain for 11 years. She reminded the Council that EUW, now in its 64th year, was older that the European Union and includes countries outside the EU. After Brexit the British Section would still have a full and active role in the EUW. Margaret Hales takes over the Presidency from Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, a French MEP, and she will be supported by Dr Margaret Stockham Turner as General Secretary. ENDS Notes to the editor EUW was founded in 1953 by the Austrian MP Lola Solar and is an NGO with observer status at the UN, OECD and Council of Europe. It welcomes women from the centre right of the political spectrum. Seventeen countries are currently members. For press enquiries, please contact Margaret Stockham Turner, General Secretary genseceuw.margare@virginmedia.com on +44(0)1234 293486 or Margaret Hales, President presidenteuw.margaret@gmail.com Website - www.europenunionofwomen.com 
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Please see the WHAT'S HAPPENING page for events and dates The European Union of Women 60 years on In the beautiful grounds of a Bicester hotel, more than 30 leading women gathered together over two days in April to discuss the future strategy of their organisation. The Council meeting and annual policy forum met to consider the necessary strategies to bring the organisation up to date in the modern world of social media. The Chairman of the British Section of EUW, Dr Margaret Stockham Turner, said: "Our organisation was formed by an Austrian doctor some 60 years ago, in the aftermath of World War II, for women on the centre right of politics. The need for women to network and lobby for improvements is just as necessary for us today as it was in 1953." Guest speaker, The Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis created great interest. The first female Lord Lieutenant ever in Bedfordshire, Mrs Nellis recognised the work that EUW had done to encourage women to put themselves forward for positions in public life. The second guest speaker was Marta Andreasen MEP, a budget specialist sitting on the Budget Control Committee of the European Parliament. This was most pertinent as Europe recovers from a long period of austerity which has particularly affected women and their families. Bicester Mayor, Cllr Melanie Magee spoke of her work encouraging girls to 'reach for the skies'. Margaret Stockham Turner said "It is pleasantly gratifying that so many mayors are women. There is great enthusiasm for networking and supporting women in public life, for gathering together new ideas and reaching out and encouraging other women to join us." 
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