Declaration on the European Constitutional Treaty

jp · 23-03-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

We, the undersigned, [from universities and Think Tanks in Europe] unite in rejecting the agreement reached by Heads of State or Government on the proposed constitution for the European Union. We call on the peoples of the Union to withhold ratification through their parliamentary representatives or through referenda.

First, the proposed constitution paves the way for ever-more matters to be decided at an ever-increasing distance from the citizen. Instead of trying to provide a clear focus on what the Union can do best and leave the rest to member states and their regions the constitution opens doors for the Union to pre-empt the role of other jurisdictions in an increasing number of fields.

Secondly, the proposed constitution opens up numerous new avenues for increased regulation in Europe. It would undermine Europe's competitiveness in the world economy. Europe needs less regulation not more.

Thirdly, by centralising policy-making, the proposed constitution gives the state more power over the citizens and suppresses international differences in preferences and needs. The centralising dynamic has to be checked by institutions which do not have a vested interest in centralisation.

Fourthly, the fundamental purpose of a constitution to base the rules of political association on popular assent cannot be achieved with such a complicated and ambiguous document. Crucially important matters such as whether or not the Union has the power to tax or how the Charter of Rights is to be applied have been left deliberately obscure or have become hopelessly overcomplicated.

We do not deny that the proposed constitution contains some positive elements. But on balance it clearly makes things worse. It pushes people still further away from those who exercise power in their name. It must be rejected.

At the invitation of the European Constitutional Group, this declaration has been signed by more than one hundred university teachers and members of think tanks.

http://www.europeannocampaign.com/346.html

C_steam · 23-03-2005, 07:56 PM

And signed by Ruth Lea and Lord Pearson of Rannoch too. (I won't mention Hugo Dicke!)

mkpdavies · 23-03-2005, 10:24 PM

I think we can call this place a think tank. Let's go sign!

gimlet · 24-03-2005, 03:11 AM

Why are you signing, when as a group they are pro EU?

mkpdavies · 24-03-2005, 09:17 AM

As a group, we are not pro-EU, but the enemy of our enemy is our friend on this one issue.

Intbel · 24-03-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp

Quote:

We do not deny that the proposed constitution contains some positive elements.

Examples please?

23-03-2005, 10:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,103 Party: Libertarian Party	I think we can call this place a think tank. Let's go sign! __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

24-03-2005, 09:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,103 Party: Libertarian Party	As a group, we are not pro-EU, but the enemy of our enemy is our friend on this one issue. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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23-03-2005, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,797	And signed by Ruth Lea and Lord Pearson of Rannoch too. (I won't mention Hugo Dicke!)

24-03-2005, 03:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
gimlet Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Shropshire Posts: 836	Why are you signing, when as a group they are pro EU?