By Martin Banks - 17th June 2009
It is a bit wordy, isn't it?
Richard Corbett
There has been a mixed reaction to the decision by parliament's Socialist group to rename itself.
The provisional name chosen is the "group of the progressive alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European parliament".
Although it is yet to be confirmed, it would replace the current name of the "Socialist group in parliament".
The name is partly designed to accommodate the 21-strong members from the Italian Partito Democatico (PD) who are joining the Socialist group in the new parliament.
PD was formed in 2007 and is a merger of various left-wing and centrist parties.
After the Germans and Spanish it will be the third largest national delegation in the Socialist group.
The Socialists performed badly in the recent elections, winning only 21.9 per cent of the vote (161 seats), although they remain parliament second biggest group.
Reaction to the name change was swift with UK Tory MEP Dan Hannan saying, "Looking at the recent European election results it is clear most voters have clocked that there is nothing progressive about higher taxes, more regulation and deeper EU integration."
Another British Tory, Martin Callanan said, "In light of the results, they are going to have to do a lot more than choose a name to revive Socialism in Europe."
Even former UK Labour MEP Richard Corbett – who was defeated in the elections – admitted, "It is a bit wordy, isn't it?"
UK Socialist MEP Linda McAvan, however, defended the new name, saying, "I want to stress that it is a working title only at this stage."
A Socialist group spokesman in parliament said no final decision on a new name will be taken until after the summer recess. "A working committee will be set up to look at all aspects of our identity, including the name and the current logo."
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