Blair stands firm on EU constitution
During a second day of talks in Brussels, Tony Blair stressed that the proposed EU constitution would not go ahead unless the UK was satisfied with its position on the ‘red line’ issues of tax, defence and foreign policy.
The new treaty has been drawn up in preparation for the EU’s expansion from 15 to 25 member states. Member states and the Commission have given themselves until Christmas to finalise the details of the new constitutional treaty.
But despite warnings from EC president Romano Prodi that the union should not get ‘bogged down’ with infighting over the constitution, the issues of a possible European president and foreign minister are expected to be major bones of contention.
Mr. Blair also stressed to reporters this morning that although there were fears about British sovereignty, there would be no referendum in the UK.
“I have made it absolutely clear why I do not think a referendum is necessary.’
‘I am well aware of the fact that some people want to drag us into nothing but debating Europe for the next few months. There is a proper place where this constitution can be debated: it is Parliament.”
‘If this constitution were to mean the end of us as a nation state, it would have been a different matter. But it does not,” he added.
But the Conservatives have accused Tony Blair of seeking to hoodwink the British people over the constitution. Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram claimed: ‘He’s the only leader in Europe to claim that the EU Constitution won’t fundamentally change the EU. Even Gordon Brown has admitted that its ‘Europe’s most significant political change for decades’.”
‘Blair’s red lines are red herrings,” he added, claiming that the constitution would not only affect the three key areas outlined by the Prime Minister, but also employment regulations and immigration policy.
