Body Quote by Margaret Thatcher
“Yes, the Commission wants to increase its powers, Yes, it is a non-elected body and I do not want the Commission to increase its powers at the expense of the House, so of course we differ. The President of the Commission, Mr Delors, said at a press conference the other day that he wanted the European Parliament to be the democratic body of the Community. He wanted the Commission to be the Executive and he wanted the Council of Ministers to be the Senate. No! No! No!”
About This Quote
Source Speech: European Parliament Debate, 1990
She opposes granting the EU Commission more power, fearing loss of democratic oversight.
In simple terms: Don’t let unelected bodies dominate elected ones.
Key Takeaway
Protect democratic checks on power.
Themes
democracy
sovereignty
EU governance
Mood
critical
cautious
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- parliamentary reforms
- policy debates
- public accountability
Key Concepts
institutional balance
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can democratic institutions adapt without losing legitimacy?
- What safeguards ensure elected bodies remain supreme?
A Different Perspective
Balancing efficiency with democratic legitimacy is complex.
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