Blair calls for ‘reflection’ following French vote
Tony Blair has called for “time for reflection” following the French rejection of the European constitutional treaty.
In Sunday’s referendum poll, 55 per cent of French voters rejected the treaty, with 46 per cent voting in favour.
The Prime Minister stressed that it was too early to say whether Britain will hold its own vote on the constitution and said the result of the French poll had raised profound questions about the future of Europe.
Speaking while on holiday in Italy, Mr Blair said: “What is important now is having a time for reflection with the Dutch referendum in a couple of days’ time and the European Council in the middle of June where the leaders will discuss the implications of the votes that have taken place.
“But I think that underneath all this there is a more profound question, which is about the future of Europe and, in particular, the future of the European economy and how we deal with the modern questions of globalisation and technological change.”
“And how we ensure the European economy is strong and is prosperous in the face of those challenges,” he added.
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw said he was personally saddened by France’s rejection of the treaty and told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it was now a “matter of judgement” for his ministerial colleagues to decide whether a British referendum should go ahead.
Mr Straw stressed that no decision would be made before the Dutch poll on the treaty on Wednesday, but confirmed he will be making a statement in the House of Commons when MPs return from their spring break on June 6.
“We don’t have to make a decision today about this. I think the appropriate place for that to be announced is to the British Parliament. There will be a statement from me in exactly a week’s time when Parliament reassembles,” he said.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Liam Fox said the French result behoved the Government to declare the treaty “dead” in the water.
“Our Government must tell us that they are going to hold a referendum to have the British people’s voice heard or that they are not going to ratify and that it is dead. It is as simple a choice as that.”
“I think that it is very clear that this treaty does not do what the people of Europe want and I think it should be put to rest right away,” he said.
Liberal Democrat counterpart Nick Clegg said: “This vote clearly throws the European Union into an unprecedented state of uncertainty.”
“The scale of popular disenchantment with the European Union should be heeded by friends and foes of the EU alike,” he said.
European leaders will discuss whether the treaty can be salvaged when the European Council meets for a scheduled summit on June 16th.
Tony Blair will then be tasked with the job of trying to sort out one of the biggest crises in EU history, as the Prime Minister takes over the presidency of the 25-nation union on July 1.
