Alternatives to centralisation

Dr Lee Rotherham

It is two years since Tony Blair promised a referendum on the EU Constitution. The Prime Minister said in Parliament of the EU Constitution, “Then let the people have the final say”. Surely this principle applies equally to the Constitution’s contents if implemented piecemeal as to the document in its entirety? So before the Prime Minister stands down from office, he must keep at least one of his pledges and give us that say.

It’s time to ask, just as the French and Dutch people were asked, whether people in this country want the out-dated integration of the EU Constitution or will similarly reject it for a more modern vision of increased trade and flexible, democratic co-operation between European countries.

The Convention on the Future of Europe, the body which ultimately ignored freedom, instead drew up the EU Constitution, received many submissions which sought to negate the ambitions of the integrationists, they serve as models for co-operation between sovereign independent European states.

The Bruges Group along with Dr Lee Rotherham of Skeptica have compiled these submissions whose principles offer a guide as to what should replace the moribund EU.

The arrogance of the EU elite meant that these calls were at first ignored instead the Convention produced an anti-democratic, anti-business draft Constitution. What is more, even after two clear public rejections it should have been dead but the centralisation project continues with bureaucrats still working on implementing aspects of the rejected Constitution, such as;

Militarisation of the EU with an EU Defence agency, EU Battle groups and the Rapid Reaction Force

Control of law and order with more powers for Europol, the creation of an EU militarised police force, an EU External Border Agency and an EU criminal code plus an EU prosecuting magistracy
Control over immigration with a common asylum policy
Control over foreign affairs by the EU Foreign Minister and External Action Service
Greater burdens on our businesses and controls over our law making through the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Fundamental Rights Agency
As the Bruges Group paper shows there were alternatives that should have been considered but were ignored, this leaves Britain with one remaining option...

As Tony Blair also said in that speech in April 2004, "Let the issue be put. Let the battle be joined."

Click here to read the paper online

Hard copies are available for £7
Please send in your cheque, made payable to The Bruges Group