Blair accused of backing ‘federal’ Europe
Tony Blair is about to sign away 1,000 years of British sovereignty, but most of the country is unaware of what the Prime Minister is doing – that’s according to ‘The Sun’ newspaper, which launched a stinging attack on the new EU constitution today.
The paper published a poll, conducted by Populus, showing that 81% of those surveyed have no idea about the plans for the constitution that could see decisions on issues such as defence, foreign policy, and the criminal justice system handed over to the European Union.
Mr. Blair is believed broadly to back many of the proposals discussed by the Convention on the Future of Europe – the committee set up to decide upon the new EU charter.
‘The Sun’ likened the “risks” for the UK that could be associated with the constitution to the threat posed by Napoleon and Hitler.
The convention is chaired by former French president Valery Giscard d’Estaing, and the UK representatives are Wales Secretary Peter Hain, Tory MP David Heathcoat-Amory, and Labour MP Gisela Stuart.
The convention’s plans are due to be published at the EU summit in Greece next month, however, and will outline which powers should be retained by national parliaments and which should fall under the auspices of the European Parliament and the EC.
The reforms are seen as being driven by Germany and France, and the constitution is seen by many analysts as an opportunity for the British government to mend relations within the EU that were damaged during the Iraq crisis.
‘The Sun’ also claims that out of the minority of people who are aware of the plans, 83% do not understand its “waffly Euro jargon”.
The paper insists that most people are against surrendering more power to Brussels, including the possibility of having a powerful elected EU president and cabinet, rather than the rotating system that currently operates where each member states holds the presidency for six months.
The Conservatives have called for a referendum on the issue, with Oliver Letwin stating this morning that the public should “not be sleepwalked into [it] by the Prime Minister”.
The Sun poll seems to back that suggestions as 84% of respondents stated that they want a referendum before Mr. Blair signs up.
That has been ruled out by the Government, with Peter Hain stating this week that a referendum was unnecessary as no issues of sovereignty were involved.
Indeed supporters of the constitution have stressed that it is likely that although the Prime Minister is believed to back a new system of majority voting in the EU, there will still be the right of veto on issues such as taxation and foreign policy.
It is expected that most other EU nations will allow their citizens to vote on the issue.
