Constitution: the referendum bandwagon starts to roll
By
Eurofacts
(A fortnightly journal)
Vol 8 No15 –16th
May 2003
With
nearly three quarters of the membership of the Convention on the Future of
Europe in favour, the bandwagon in favour of a referendum on a European
Constitution is picking up rapid momentum-and may turn out to be unstoppable,
even in Britain. By 7th May, 71 out of 108 Convention members from
25 countries had signed a demand that the Constitution should be ratified by
the means of referenda to be held throughout EU member states on the same day
as the Elections to the European Parliament in June 2004.
Those
supporting the demand include eurosceptics, such as the British Conservative
from the UK Parliament, David Heathcoat Amory, as well as staunch Federalists. Among the later is the
French MEP Alain Lamassoure who, in a tacit admission of the profoundly
anti-democratic nature of the EU, explained why he was supporting the move: ‘
‘’Up
to now we have built a European Union without European citizens really controlling
the process.’’
But in Britain it is
increasingly obvious that the Public want no such introduction. A recent poll
showed that only a tiny proportion is even aware of the attempt to create a
European Constitution. When told of the facts by the pollsters 82
percent say there should be a Referendum on the issue and twice as many say
they would vote against a European Constitution as would vote in favour.
Among
existing members of the EU in only two-Denmark and Ireland- is there a
Constitutional requirement for the referendum to be held. But among
candidate countries, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia
have provisions, which enable referenda to be held, in many cases by means of
citizens’ Initiative. The
Amsterdam-based Initiative and Referendum Institute also rates as ‘’very good’’
or ‘’good’’ the prospects for the referenda in the following: Austria,
Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Sweden.
Strong Support
Prospects
in Germany, where a two thirds majority in the Bundestag, followed by
approval in the Bundesrat, the upper house, is required before a referendum can
be held, are rated’ moderately good’’, but it is clear that these are
improving. Edmund Stoiber, leader of the CSU party in Bavaria and Guido
Westerville, leader of the German liberal party (FDP) are among those strongly
supporting a referendum. The CDU national party remains opposed, but there is
significant support in the regional CDU parties.
Among
Europe’s political leaders Tony Blair is probably more dogmatic in rejecting a
referendum than any other: indeed it is a subject which more than any other, he
prefers to avoid. He will find it increasingly difficult to do so, and in
particular to avoid the following questions.
·
Why should Danes and Irish –
and probably Hungarians, and Estonians determine Britain’s political future
among other nationalities – but not by the British themselves?
·
If most of the members of
the Convention – in effect, the authors of the Constitution – say that there
must be a referendum or it will lack legitimacy, what reason do you have for
rejecting what they say?
·
Why do you still want a
referendum on the Euro, but not on the broader, more profound and more
important issue of a European Constitution?
·
How can you argue that
referenda are not in the British tradition – when your government has held more
of them than any in history?
·
In
a speech in the 1995 Labour Party Conference, you said, ‘’Of course, if there are
further steps towards integration the People should have their say, either at a
General Election or a referendum.’’ Bearing in mind that there
was no reference to a Constitution in the 2001 General Election manifesto what
reason can you have for going back on this undertaking?
Some
of our readers argue that not even the electorate in a referendum or general
election should not be permitted to give away Britain’s precious birthright of
sovereign government. It is understandable that some should be frustrated by
the failure of the political process to remotely deliver outcomes that reflect
their wishes, or those of the majority. But the reality is that without a
referendum we will end up with a European Constitution, whether we like it or
not. A referendum provides a fighting chance – the only such chance and a
credible one – of reversing the process by which British self-government is
being destroyed.
www.junepress.com for an extensive range
of publications, video’s, Tapes & CDs
* * *
Constitution? What
constitution
Eighty two per cent of those surveyed in an opinion poll
believe that there should be a referendum before Britain accepts a European
Constitution, and almost twice as many people say that they would vote against
as would vote for. Only 12 per cent believe that the matter should be left to
the Government.
The poll, carried out by YouGov on behalf of the
Spectator and published in the magazine’s 26th April 2003 issue,
also showed that only 15 per cent of the population knows that a European Constitution
is currently being drawn up.
The extraordinary degree of ignorance on the issue
demonstrates the failure of the EU to engage the public in European issues.
Equally certainly, it is a reflection of the BBC’s failure to provide coverage
of a kind and quantity commensurate with the huge importance of the subject.
Before asking those polled for their opinion the
pollsters explained what a constitution was and what areas a likely European
Constitution would cover.
Survey
findings included:
· 44
per cent are in favour of a common defence policy, with 46 per cent against.
·
20 per cent accept that British forces should operate under
EU command, 60 per
cent are against.
·
25 per cent are in favour of guidelines for the
coordination of economic policy throughout EU states, 63 per cent are against.
·
28
per cent would vote in favour of a European Constitution, 54 per cent against.
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Let the people speak!
www.makeitanissue.org.uk
*
www.noliberties.com
[Latest Addition - June07]
*
www.eutruth.org.uk
*
www.thewestminsternews.co.uk
*
www.speakout.co.uk
*
Daniel Hannan - Forming an OPPOSITION to the EU
www.telegraph.co.uk.blogs
*
GORDON BROWN WANTS TRUST-BUT WHY
WON'T HE TRUST YOU?
HELL ON EARTH
IN IRAQ
*
67%
want powers back from EU-ICM poll-June 21-2007-95%
of British people want a REFERENDUM
*
PETITION
FOR A
REFERENDUM
SIGN TODAY ON LINE
telegraph.co.uk/eureferendum
*
July 18-2007
ALSO
JOIN THE 10 DOWNING STREET PROTEST
Readers can add their support to the growing
clamour for a REFERENDUM on the '"REFORM TREATY" by signing up to a 10 Downing
Street 0n-line petition
(http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/EU-treaty-NON/)
The Petition reads as follows:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime
Minister to guarantee that the British people will be permitted a binding
REFERENDUM on any and all attempts to resurrect the EU " CONSTITUTION" (and any
or all of its content) regardless of nomenclature."
Deadline for the PETITION is 31st January,2008
Eurofacts 27th July 2007.
*
'The Spirit of
England'
by
Winston Churchill
In London on St.George's Day -1953
*
VOTE
-2007
TO
LEAVE
THE
EUROPEAN
UNION
WITH THE ONLY PARTY WITH A MANDATE
TO SET YOU
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INDEPENDENCE PARTY
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THE QUESTION THAT THE VOTER MUST
ANSWER
‘DO
YOU WISH TO BE GOVERNED BY YOUR OWN PEOPLE, LAW AND CUSTOM OR BY THE CORRUPT
,EXPENSIVE UNACCOUNTABLE AND CORRUPT ALIEN BUSYBODY BRUSSELS’
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BUT
SMALL PARTIES THAT SPEAK THEIR MINDS
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