The Empire strikes back

Today in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, Margot
Wallström, Vice-President of the EU commission spoke to the Leinen report on
the intergovernmental conference. Below is the text of what she said, the emphasis is mine, as are the comments.

"Mr President, honourable Members, there must be a position between
Pangloss and his over-optimism and Eyeore the Donkey thinking that
everything is hopeless. It is a very rare thing in politics to get a second
life and I am not referring to internet role-playing. Remember that, less
than a year ago, the Constitutional Treaty or the idea of having a new
treaty was declared dead, on life support or in a coma. And now we are
discussing a ratification procedure coming up very soon."

So no pretending that The Treaty is not just the Constitution in a new jacket.


"I think that engaging now in a blame game will not help us a bit,
and, as a final comment on this debate, I have two things to say. First of
all, on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Commission does not
like opt-outs. We would have preferred not to have any opt-outs. But what
was the real political choice here? It was a weakened charter without legal
force or a charter that is legally binding for the EU institutions with an
opt-out, or preserving the full text of the charter. Then, I prefer to have
a charter which is legally binding, and an opt-out is also an opt-in so this
is not cast in stone."

Is our opt-out actually an opt-out?


"My second comment is that I would like to say that I assume that
Members of Parliament do not consider parliamentary ratification less
democratically legitimate than referenda.
(Applause)"

So as there is no need for referenda as parliamentary ratification is just as democratic as referenda, we don't need referenda in France, Denmark, Netherlands, UK where the public might not do as we want.


"Some Eurosceptics of course hope that the challenge of informing
citizens and engaging citizens about and in such a complex issue as a treaty
can be turned into a weapon that can kill further European integration. But
I do not think we should allow that.
(Applause)"

She doesn't think "we should allow that", allow, ALLOW; it's called democracy you arrogant ****


"Also, regardless of what ratification method is chosen by Member
States, we are all obliged to inform, to engage, to debate, to discuss with
citizens all over Europe and this is what we now have to commit to, to do
together, in full cooperation and in a planned manner. This is also how we
will contribute from the Commission side. So, I will come back to you very
soon with that kind of planning for a proper and democratic and open and
transparent ratification procedure."

"open" and "democratic", so long as everyone signs up ASAP before the public in any country has a chance to get anywhere with demanding a referendum. The "Treaty" is a done deal and the sooner it is ratified the better. Once the "Treaty" is signed and they've had the grand ceremony, I am afraid that might be the end of sovereign government in the member nations.

Please sign the petition on the Number 10 web site. It won't do much good, this government ignored the road pricing petition but we all have to do something. Also write to your MP, you can contact him/her/it at TheyWorkForYou