John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

Points of View

EU Constitution

After significant pressure, it was welcome news that Tony Blair instigated a U-turn and agreed to allow the country a referendum on the Constitution.

According to the Times and other newspapers, the Government wants to delay the referendum until the spring of 2006 to give itself time to “turn the tide of public opinion.”

For its intention is very clear – that is to persuade people to sign up by claiming it is good for this country. Indeed, despite a drubbing in the recent European elections, Tony Blair has already signed the Constitution, yet had no democratic mandate to do so.

There is little doubt that this Constitution gives the EU even more control over our lives.

For example, the Prime Minister initially led us to believe that national parliaments can block EU Commission proposals but, when challenged, had to subsequently admit he was wrong.

Meanwhile, the Constitution will allow unelected judges in the European Court of Justice the freedom to decide the UK’s asylum and industrial relations laws. The CBI and others have said this could cost many jobs.

In addition, under the new EU foreign minister, some EU foreign policy acts would be legally binding on Britain.

In short, under the Constitution, Britain has lost its veto in 43 areas, allowing Brussels to impose policies against the will of the British Parliament and people.

Now if some readers consider this scare-mongering, they should look to see what our EU neighbours are saying about the Constitution.

For example, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, who wrote the EU Constitution, has said the Constitution “marks a milestone toward European integration” (The Times, 22.06.04)

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Belgium has described the Constitution as the “capstone” of a “federal state” (Wall Street Journal Europe, 26.11.03)

Just as the Prime Minister misled us over Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Iraq War, he intends to mislead us over the issue of the EU Constitution.

The fact is this Constitution is not good for this country, and represents further salami-slicing of our sovereignty which has been the hallmark of all EU treaties ever since we joined.

King’s Way

King’s Way is a local charity based in Billericay, and I recently presented certificates to successful trainees who had taken the King’s Way computer courses during recent sessions. The trainees included pupils from Billericay School and SNAP (Special Needs and Parents)

At the ceremony I congratulated all the successful trainees for completing their courses – particularly as I am a technological dinosaur!

But I also took the opportunity to thank King’s Way for all the excellent work it does in the community – for it is much appreciated.