The table below lists the total number of articles either introduced with Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) or articles that were moved from unanimity in previous European treaties. The European Constitution moves 63 areas to QMV compared to only 30 with the Maastricht treaty. The Labour government has given away the veto in 70 areas since it came into power and if the European Constitution is ratified the Labour Government will have given away unanimity in 133 areas.
| European Treaty | Number of articles introduced on moved to QMV |
| Treaty of Rome (plus extensions) | 38 |
| Single European Act | 12 |
| Maastricht (Treaty on European Union) | 30 |
| Treaty of Amsterdam | 24 |
| Treaty of Nice | 46 |
| European Constitution | 63 |
18th November 2004
The table below lists the total number of articles either introduced with Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) or articles that were moved from unanimity in previous European treaties. The European Constitution moves 63 areas to QMV compared to only 30 with the Maastricht treaty. The Labour government has given away the veto in 70 areas since it came into power and if the European Constitution is ratified the Labour Government will have given away unanimity in 133 areas.
The figures given for the number of articles introduced or moved to QMV in Treaties other the European Constitution are based on figures provided by the House of Commons Library1 and written government answers2.
The figure of 63 articles for the European Constitution is based on research undertaken by the European Research Group and the House of Commons Library. The figure has been confirmed independently by Vote No and Professor Stephen Peers of Exeter University.
Points to make:
10 vetoes a year have been lost under the Labour Government.
The number of vetoes given away in the European Constitution is more than twice the number given away at Maastricht and five times more the number needed for the creation of the Single market.
Footnotes
The Extension of Qualified Majority Voting from the Treaty of Rome to the European Constitution, House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/54, 7 July 2004.
Papers deposited in House of Lords Library, Qualified Majority Voting and Co-decision MDEP 2003
Source: European Research Group
Number of articles introduced on moved to QMV
Treaty of Rome (plus extensions) 38
Single European Act 12
Maastricht (Treaty on European Union) 30
Treaty of Amsterdam 24
Treaty of Nice 46
European Constitution 63
The figures given for the number of articles introduced or moved to QMV in Treaties other the European Constitution are based on figures provided by the House of Commons Library1 and written government answers2.
The figure of 63 articles for the European Constitution is based on research undertaken by the European Research Group and the House of Commons Library. The figure has been confirmed independently by Vote No and Professor Stephen Peers of Exeter University.
Points to make:
10 vetoes a year have been lost under the Labour Government.
The number of vetoes given away in the European Constitution is more than twice the number given away at Maastricht and five times more the number needed for the creation of the Single market.
Footnotes
The Extension of Qualified Majority Voting from the Treaty of Rome to the European Constitution, House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/54, 7 July 2004.
Papers deposited in House of Lords Library, Qualified Majority Voting and Co-decision MDEP 2003
Source: European Research Group