...well not news at all really, just the government’s bland response to an e-petition on the European Union Treaty (or ‘the document formerly known as Constitution’), which has just been posted on the Downing Street website.
I would not wish to inflict on readers the response in its entirety, but here’s a taster:
‘EU initiatives to tackle climate change emissions and bring down mobile phone roaming charges have demonstrated concrete benefits of membership.’
So the EU is good but it needs reforming and therefore …
‘the agreement reached in June represents an excellent deal for the UK’s interests and for Britain’s future within the EU.’
And it’s okay because it is not a constitution as…
‘the single text called “Constitution” is abandoned.’
If you have the stomach for more then help yourself here.
In addition another, previously mentioned and more significantly supported, e-petition calling for the government to guarantee a ‘binding referendum’ (on any attempt to resurrect any of the former Constitution’s content) remains open until 31st January 2008. Despite the fact we can expect a similarly bland response I would again recommend a visit to the 10 Downing Street e-petition page.
Come the new year, by which time the EU Summit of December 13-14th will have passed the new document, Brown will be looking to ratify it in parliament and continuing to neglect those calls for a referendum, while simultaneously ‘listening to the people’.
However, he will most probably also be hoping to call that election, off the back of a healthy honeymoon period, following an upturn in Labour’s funding (if Alexander and Mendelsohn do their jobs) and prior to any downturn in the economic cycle.
So if there is any chance of resisting this constant, grinding integration it will be then – with the issue high on the electoral agenda and impossible for those politicians, desperately beating the campaign trail, to ignore.
Comments (3)
The EU has brought peace and stability to Europe.
As per usuall the Europhilles seem to conveniently ignore the influence of nato and the effect that the organisation has had on keeping the peace in Europe.
Posted by Mike | August 15, 2007 12:37 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 12:37
Excellent - so the Reform Treaty is going to be really smashing and a joy to behold.
In that case, you would be lining up to offer a referendum if it's such a slam dunk.
Oh... wait...
Posted by Cleanthes | August 14, 2007 1:14 PM
Posted on August 14, 2007 13:14
"The EU has brought Britain wealth, jobs, peaceand security. Three million jobs depend on trade with the EU.... and over?half our trade is with the EU," says the response to the petition at Downing St.
Seen that batch of lies somewhere before methinks. Hasn't Broon got any new ones.
Posted by Derek Buxton | August 14, 2007 10:51 AM
Posted on August 14, 2007 10:51