Vista letter MEPs back local delicacies

Chris Heaton-Harris, Peter Skinner and Sharon Bowles signed a letter to the EC yesterday worrying about the ability of European businesses to compete if Windows Vista were not to arrive promptly on these shores.

"It is alarming that one of the world's most successful technology companies considers the European Commission's attitude a risk factor," the group agreed in the letter.

On his bog, Heaton-Harris has plenty about how "corrupt, badly run and anti-democratic" the EU is. But to be fair, he knows how to give credit where it's due, especially when his locality gets a lift and there's real political change in the air, such as the opportunity to simplify the process of… registering local delicacies.

"With this new system I would hope it will be easier for products such as the Lincolnshire sausage to get the protection it deserves," he thunders.

Just in case we don't get the full picture, there's a picture of him, sausage - Lincolnshire we hope - in fork.

Not to be outdone, Skinner also has food on his mind on his website.

"Sales of Aylesbury duck and Banbury cakes are set to rise after the European Parliament voted this week to protect and promote original regional produce," he swoons.

Thanks guys, with you big-hitters on board you're more likely to turn the Vole into a pie than wave Microsoft through.

Bowles can be hard hitting too and on her website leans on an EC report to bolster some wise words for those going out into the burning sun - "Get Hot But Use Protection!"

That's democracy in action for you. Hurrah for British, and European, justice! µ