Labour denies reports of split with Party of European Socialists

Shadow Europe Minister Gareth Thomas has denied that Labour will be splitting from the Party of European Socialists (PES) in the European Parliament. Rumours had begun to spread in recent days that Labour would be leaving the grouping, after public criticism of Martin Schulz – the PES candidate for next European Commission President and current President of the European Parliament- over his federalist position, and PES’s desire to have Schulz front the party’s campaign across Europe.

The European Voice newspaper reported on Thursday that Labour would leave the PES over its opposition to  to Schulz, yet Thomas – in an interview with EurActiv – denied the claims, stating:

“It is nonsense, complete nonsense, to suggest we are thinking of leaving the European socialist party (PES).”

“We are fully committed to the European party, and we are proud to work alongside other socialist member parties.”

Many Labour insiders have been argued that presenting Schulz – a pro-federalist German Social Democrat – as the face of the party’s campaign for the European Elections in the UK would be harmful to Labour in May. They are undoubtedly right…