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From: "e-News" <[log in to unmask]>
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Sent: Monday, June 21, 2004 4:45 PM
Subject: e-News from Britain in Europe and the European Movement
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CONTENTS
E-NEWS SPECIAL: EU constitutional treaty agreed
Poll shows voters support treaty once anti-European myths are dispelled
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE: www.britainineurope.org.uk
<http://www.britainineurope.org.uk/>
Europe's leaders on Friday clinched a historic deal on the EU constitutional
treaty. The new treaty - the rule-book for an enlarged EU of 25 nation
states - is good for Britain and good for Europe. It will make the new
Europe more effective and accountable - and dispel forever the myth of a
federal superstate. It is the blueprint for a flexible Europe where
countries work together where we agree - while reserving the right to do our
own thing where we see fit.
The new treaty modernises the rules and institutions devised in the 1950s
for a Europe of Six for a 21st century Europe of 25 member states and more.
* It puts national governments firmly in the driving seat by
creating a permanent European Council president to drive forward their
agenda in vital areas such as economic reform.
* It streamlines the European Commission.
* It reforms the EU's voting system to make it easier for
governments to reach decisions.
* It allows more majority voting in the right areas to make sure
Europe doesn't grind to a halt.
* And it makes more co-operation possible where we need it: to
manage migration and asylum, to boost our defence capabilities without
creating an EU army, and to give Europe a stronger voice on the world stage.
In short, the treaty will create a more effective Europe that is better able
to boost jobs and prosperity and tackle cross-border pollution, crime and
terrorism.
The treaty also scotches the myth of a European superstate imposing
Brussels' writ on us.
* It sets out in black and white what the EU can and cannot do.
* It makes crystal clear that the EU only has powers that national
governments choose to give it.
* Britain's national veto is retained in the vital areas of tax,
social security, defence, foreign policy, and our EU budget rebate.
* It creates a mechanism for a country to withdraw from the EU if it
wants to.
* And it makes the EU more accountable to its peoples by giving
national parliaments a new right to be consulted on - and challenge - EU
legislation.
This is not the "constitution" for a country called Europe: it is an
agreement between independent national governments to work together more
effectively for our common good.
Anti-Europeans rushed to denounce the new treaty - before it was even
agreed.
But now it has been agreed, it is clear that their scare stories are all
myths.
* We keep our national veto on tax.
* We keep our national veto on social security.
* We keep our national veto on defence and foreign policy.
* We keep control of our North Sea oil.
* We keep our seats at the G8 and the United Nations.
* Our budget rebate is secure.
* Our flexible labour laws cannot be unpicked in Brussels.
In short, the British people have nothing to fear from the new treaty.
On a visit to London today, Italy's foreign minister, Franco Frattini,
concurred that the treaty would not lead to the creation of a European
superstate.
"It is not acceptable for the UK. It is not acceptable for Italy. It is not
the intention through the constitutional treaty," he said.
"What we wanted to achieve is a Europe of states, a Europe of the people, a
Europe that respects national identities.''
Ireland's prime minister, Bertie Ahern, told BBC News 24 on 19 June that:
"It [the EU] is not a super state; it's not a federal state. It's about a
group of nations, a group of peoples working to a constitution".
Spain's prime minister, Jose Maria Zapatero said in a speech to the Spanish
parliament on June 15: "Europe is and will be a union of states".
The agreement that Tony Blair negotiated in Brussels is proof that when
Britain is fully engaged in Europe, putting our case vigorously and building
a broad alliance of like-minded countries, we can win the argument for a
British vision of Europe fit for the 21st century.
If we were isolated on the margins of Europe, we would be mere spectators as
others built a Europe that would shape our destiny regardless.
Now that we have a deal, a text that sets out in black and white what
Europe's leaders have agreed, pro-Europeans can start the long fight to
rebut the anti-Europeans' myths and put the positive case for Europe and the
constitutional treaty.
Everything is still to play for in the referendum campaign. For sure, the
YouGov poll in yesterday's Sunday Times shows that 49% of voters currently
plan to vote No and only 23% Yes. We start as the underdogs and we face a
well-funded No campaign backed by large sections of the media.
But look at the detail of the YouGov poll and a brighter picture emerges.
Most Britons incorrectly believe that the constitutional treaty gives the EU
immediate power to raise taxes in Britain; that it will replace British
passports with EU ones; that it forces Britain to join the euro; that it
gives the EU the power to stop Britain waging war; that the EU will take
over our seat at the UN; and so on. Voters were then asked whether they
would support the treaty if their (incorrect) anxieties were met. 41% said
Yes; only 35% No.
The lesson for pro-Europeans is clear: explain to the British people the
truth about the constitutional treaty and they will vote Yes. The fightback
starts now.
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