At the Brussels Summit this June, agreement seems likely to be reached on the content of the EU constitution treaty. Before it is adopted by Britain, the treaty will then need ratification by parliament and, as Tony Blair has recently announced, the approval of the British people in a referendum. This referendum will provide an important opportunity for the constitution’s content to be discussed and debated thoroughly so that the British people can make an informed decision. The key issues in this referendum will concern the main proposals of the Constitution, and what they will mean for Britain.
What is the Constitution?
The EU is currently governed by five existing European treaties. However, with recent expansion of the EU to include 10 new countries it was decided that the EU needed modernisation to cope with the extra demand on its institutions and mechanisms. The new Constitution - drafted by a group of MEPs, government representatives, European Commissioners and national parliamentarians – is intended to draw together the existing treaties and reform the main structures of the EU so that it will function effectively. It also clarifies the powers of the EU vis-à-vis the member states.
What are the main proposals?
- Presidency – The current system of six month rotation between member states will be scrapped. Under the new system Presidents would be elected for two-and-a-half year terms. This would enable Presidents to pursue long term aims.
- Foreign Minister – The role of Foreign Minister would combine that of the current EU foreign policy representative and the external affairs member of the Commission. Combining the two roles is intended to bring greater coherence to a common EU foreign policy.
- Reform of the Commission – With the aim of streamlining the commission, only 15 out of 25 countries in the enlarged EU will have a commissioner with voting rights. This will be rotated every five years. Other countries will have an associate member.
- Role of the European Parliament – The Parliament, the only directly elected major EU body, will play a much greater role in law-making. The Council of Ministers would have to obtain the agreement of the Parliament on any new laws.
- Legal Personality – The EU would be given a legal personality which would allow it to sign treaties on behalf of the member states.
What are Tony Blair’s ‘red-lines’?
Tony Blair has announced a number of ‘red-lines’ which the government will not cross in negotiations over the Constitution and which aim to ensure that Britain retains sovereignty over certain areas of national policy:
- Foreign and Defence policy – the UK will insist on retaining a national veto on foreign and defence policy.
- Tax – Britain wants taxation policy to be decided upon by national governments alone
- Social Security – Blair argues that social security systems are complex and unique to each country and therefore changes should only be allowed following a unanimous vote by member states.
- EU spending – The UK will insist that spending decisions are to be agreed unanimously.
- Treaty changes– Britain wants to retain national veto on any major decisions regarding Europe.
Opponents and critics of the EU Constitution argue that Britain is giving away its sovereignty to Europe and control over the way our country is run. They are also worried that the Constitution will create an EU ‘superstate’ with its own legal system, President and Foreign Minister. Supporters point out that Britain will still retain control over key policy areas (ensured by the red-lines), and that the Constitution is merely amalgamating existing treaties. In addition, the Constitution enshrines the principle that the EU’s powers are derived from its member states and that it will remain subsidiary to them
You can find out more at:
http://www.libdems.org.uk/index.cfm/page.main/section.parliamentary/article.6595
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2950276.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3235898.stm
I would like to know what you think. Do you think the Constitution is good or bad for Britain? Do you feel informed about the arguments for and against? Do you support British engagement in the EU? Are you in favour of a referendum on the Constitution? Whatever your thoughts and ideas I would be grateful if you could let me know.
