| |
  Six ways Tories want to reform Britain's relationship with the EU |
| |
|  Related Tweets
 Related Headlines
 Full news story |
David Cameron outlined a new approach to the European Union.
This contains six key pledges:• A UK sovereignty billA bill would be introduced by a Conservative government making clear that "ultimate authority stays in this country, in our parliament".
This is designed to put Britain on a par with Germany, where the German constitutional court makes clear that ultimate authority rests with bodies established by the German constitution.
Senior Tories have studied carefully the court's ruling on the Lisbon treaty which called for a delay in the ratification process, because the Bundestag and the Bundesrat had not been given sufficient time to participate in European law-making.The bill would not challenge the principle that EU law takes primacy over domestic law - as long as that is in areas agreed by parliament.
It would not lead to the striking down of unpopular EU legislation and does not elevate the UK's new supreme court above the European court of justice (ECJ).
It says the ECJ can only have jurisdiction in areas already ceded by parliament.• Guarantee of a 'referendum lock' on any treaty handing further powers to the EU, and a 'legal lock' ensuring a referendum before Britain can join the euroThe European Communities Act of 1972, which paved the way for Britain to join the EEC the following year, would be amended to ensure that future treaties involving the transfer of powers to the EU would have to be subject to a referendum.Tory Eurosceptics, who have long made a referendum a key demand, have accepted with reluctance Cameron's view that it is impossible to hold a poll on the Lisbon treaty now that it has entered EU law.
They will be encouraged that any future treaty along the lines of Lisbon would be subject to a vote.
But some will be disappointed that Cameron will not pledge a more immediate referendum on some of the laws he will attempt to repatriate.• Parliament will be given full control over "ratchet" clauses in the Lisbon treatyThe Tories have reluctantly accepted that the Lisbon treaty will lead to a loss of British sovereignty in justice and home affairs where national vetoes will end in a series of areas.
But they want to make sure that more powers are not handed over by giving a guarantee on what they call the "ratchet clauses".
These are the areas where the national veto will remain.
Any change in their status, ending the veto, would have to be approved in a parliamentary bill and not just a vote after short debate.• A full opt-out from the charter of fundamental rightsThe Tories say the concession on this secured by the government - a protocol stating that the charter does not create any new rights - does not go far enough.
They would demand a complete opt-out.• Repatriation of social and employment legislationThe Tories would like to restore the British opt-out from the social chapter negotiated by John Major in 1991.
They acknowledge that this will need the agreement of all 27 member states, because the provisions of the social chapter have been sprinkled through EU treaties since then.• Greater protection for UK's criminal justice systemBritain has an "opt-in" to justice and home affairs matters under the Lisbon treaty, allowing Britain to reject EU legislation in these areas.
But the Tories want further protection to ensure judges from the ECJ cannot extend their remit to areas not sanctioned by parliament.
|
|
|
| Recent related news |
| |
guardian.co.uk
1 day ago - World | Dull, imperfect, but let's all cheer Van Rompuy's victory
The dystopic European vision peddled by the Tories, the media et al has been shown to be a malicious... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
1 day ago - UK | Brown is right: he is odds on to emulate John Major | Martin Kettle
Major's victory in 1992 is the precedent Labour likes to talk about. But it's his defeat five years... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
2 days ago - UK | Three melancholy exchanges about the Queen's speech | Michael White
I sense growing detachment, alienation and indifference where the monarchy is concernedThe... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
6 days ago - UK | UK leaders fear anger of frustrated army families
As another group of British casualties returns from Afghanistan, Gordon Brown plans steps to calm... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
2 weeks ago - Politics | David Cameron's six-point EU plan will waste time and win few concessions
The Tory leader's defective analysis of Europe consists of scapegoating the union for UK problems... »related headlines & tweets» |
| |
guardian.co.uk
2 weeks ago - UK | David Cameron's six-point EU plan will waste time and win few concessions | Michael White
The Tory leader's defective analysis of Europe consists of scapegoating the union for UK problems... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
3 weeks ago - Money | Alistair Darling on Britain's new banking bailout - as it happened
Live coverage of today's key announcements on the UK banking sector including Alistair Darling's... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
3 weeks ago - UK | Parties clash over 'President' Blair
William Hague says creation of powerful EU position shows UK should have held referendum on Lisbon... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
3 weeks ago - Politics | Miliband backs Blair again for EU job
William Hague says creation of powerful EU position shows UK should have held referendum on Lisbon... »related headlines & tweets» |
guardian.co.uk
on October 16, 2009 - Politics | Brown to talk tough to police, doctors and postal workers
Gordon Brown has decided to take a tougher line against "vested interest" occupations he believes are... »related headlines & tweets» |
| |
|
Tweet the News!
Facebook
E-mail
Twitter
Mixx
StumbleUpon
FriendFeed
Top News RSS Feed | News for my Website | Archive | Advertise | Help | Contact us | Bookmark
