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Blair Determined not to give British People a say on new EU Constitution
BBC article
i remember a few days ago a government minister was quoted as saying that we shouldn't have one because the british people don't understand the issues, if that's the case then why are the people in so many other countries (including the irish for christ's sake, and they can understand something, anyone can...) being given that chance?
the reason is simple, the british people don't want any more power handed over to europe, which is unaccountable and dominated by france and germany. the government would lose any referendum on the issue, as it will on the euro.
richard littlejohn's view
Blair condemns EU 'scaremongering'
Tony Blair is to meet Valery Giscard d'Estaing for talks about the new European constitution amid growing calls for a referendum on the issue.
Ahead of the meeting, the prime minister's spokesman condemned "hype and scaremongering" from Eurosceptics who fear that the constitution will lead to the loss of more British sovereignty.
But Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the draft constitution proposed "deep and dangerous changes" to how British people were government adding a referendum was crucial.
He told the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce in London: "We believe that the people of Britain should have the opportunity to vote on any proposed European Constitution."
Labour MP Frank Field is to table a bill calling for a referendum, arguing that British sovereignty would be ended if the constitution were adopted.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "Amidst all the hype of recent days it is easy to lose sight of where the EU is going.
"As Valery Giscard d'Estaing said this is not part of a plot to establish a European superstate but to complete a free Europe."
On areas of tax and foreign affairs Britain would decide its own policy but it made sense to pool efforts when came to issues like crime and the environment, he said.
No tyranny?
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also played down the implications of the proposal which he said was "not about the sacrifice of national civilisations, nor about the imposition of central control".
He argued that the UK would not accept any change that threatened British interests and he pointed out that Mr Ancram had been opposed to a referendum on the Maastricht treaty.
"The reality is more prosaic. This is about making an enlarged European Union more efficient and open.
"It is absurd to suggest, as some in Britain and elsewhere do, that the EU 25 will be a tyranny when this wider Europe has been built on tyranny's defeat.
"The British public deserve a higher level of debate than this and we will do all we can to make sure the debates and arguments ahead will respect the public's intelligence."
Mr Field is seeking to increase the pressure for a vote, calling the draft constitution "horrendous" and saying it would spell the end of Britain's sovereignty.
The prime minister's spokesman would not confirm what Mr Blair and Mr Giscard d'Estaing would be discussing.
But Mr Blair was reported to be planning to lay down a set of "red lines" which would mean a British veto if they were crossed.
There are fears the draft could include giving the EU sweeping new powers. Several member states have already said they will hold a referendum, including Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Spain.
"When it comes to the establishment of a single European state, the people of Britain should have a choice," Mr Field said.
Controversy promised
Mr Field has indicated his private member's bill will be tabled this week. It would then be for the government to allow time in the Commons for it to be debated.
If the government refused, one of the opposition parties could step in and offer some of their time.
The owner of Telegraph newspapers, Lord Black of Crossharbour, said on Sunday supporters of a referendum were not prepared to abandon their struggle.
"If there is anybody in the government who imagines that there is not going to be a serious controversy about whether a referendum is called for on an issue of the importance of the new constitution of Europe, then I can certainly set their minds at ease - there will be a very serious controversy about that," he told BBC Radio 4.
Recent opinion polls have suggested as many as 84% of voters think a referendum should be held before a new constitution is adopted.
A British campaign group, provisionally called Vote 2004, has been set up by a number of Eurosceptics to campaign for a referendum, according to newspaper reports.
Tony Blair is to meet Valery Giscard d'Estaing for talks about the new European constitution amid growing calls for a referendum on the issue.
Ahead of the meeting, the prime minister's spokesman condemned "hype and scaremongering" from Eurosceptics who fear that the constitution will lead to the loss of more British sovereignty.
But Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the draft constitution proposed "deep and dangerous changes" to how British people were government adding a referendum was crucial.
He told the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce in London: "We believe that the people of Britain should have the opportunity to vote on any proposed European Constitution."
Labour MP Frank Field is to table a bill calling for a referendum, arguing that British sovereignty would be ended if the constitution were adopted.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "Amidst all the hype of recent days it is easy to lose sight of where the EU is going.
"As Valery Giscard d'Estaing said this is not part of a plot to establish a European superstate but to complete a free Europe."
On areas of tax and foreign affairs Britain would decide its own policy but it made sense to pool efforts when came to issues like crime and the environment, he said.
No tyranny?
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also played down the implications of the proposal which he said was "not about the sacrifice of national civilisations, nor about the imposition of central control".
He argued that the UK would not accept any change that threatened British interests and he pointed out that Mr Ancram had been opposed to a referendum on the Maastricht treaty.
"The reality is more prosaic. This is about making an enlarged European Union more efficient and open.
"It is absurd to suggest, as some in Britain and elsewhere do, that the EU 25 will be a tyranny when this wider Europe has been built on tyranny's defeat.
"The British public deserve a higher level of debate than this and we will do all we can to make sure the debates and arguments ahead will respect the public's intelligence."
Mr Field is seeking to increase the pressure for a vote, calling the draft constitution "horrendous" and saying it would spell the end of Britain's sovereignty.
The prime minister's spokesman would not confirm what Mr Blair and Mr Giscard d'Estaing would be discussing.
But Mr Blair was reported to be planning to lay down a set of "red lines" which would mean a British veto if they were crossed.
There are fears the draft could include giving the EU sweeping new powers. Several member states have already said they will hold a referendum, including Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Spain.
"When it comes to the establishment of a single European state, the people of Britain should have a choice," Mr Field said.
Controversy promised
Mr Field has indicated his private member's bill will be tabled this week. It would then be for the government to allow time in the Commons for it to be debated.
If the government refused, one of the opposition parties could step in and offer some of their time.
The owner of Telegraph newspapers, Lord Black of Crossharbour, said on Sunday supporters of a referendum were not prepared to abandon their struggle.
"If there is anybody in the government who imagines that there is not going to be a serious controversy about whether a referendum is called for on an issue of the importance of the new constitution of Europe, then I can certainly set their minds at ease - there will be a very serious controversy about that," he told BBC Radio 4.
Recent opinion polls have suggested as many as 84% of voters think a referendum should be held before a new constitution is adopted.
A British campaign group, provisionally called Vote 2004, has been set up by a number of Eurosceptics to campaign for a referendum, according to newspaper reports.
the reason is simple, the british people don't want any more power handed over to europe, which is unaccountable and dominated by france and germany. the government would lose any referendum on the issue, as it will on the euro.
richard littlejohn's view
. I doubt he has a choice though, if he doesnt give a referendum, I very much doubt he will win the next election (assuming it is in this parliament). If he was really shrewed and sneaky, he would force us in just after the next election if he wins. In that case, the next election then becomes the effective referendum.
). So even if the cost/benefit of voting yes on any European issue is neutral we will overwhelmingly vote "No!". We cut our political nose to spite our European face.
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