The BBC has decided. What about our MPs?
The BBC seems to assume that after a three-month row in Westminster, Britain will sign up to the new European treaty-not-constitution no matter what the opposition.
We shouldn’t take this as read, however. There is the small question of national sovereignty as expressed by the Houses of Parliament.
For Gordon Brown to ratify the treaty-not-constitution, he must succeed in persuading the members of both the Commons and Lords not merely that it is in Britain’s interests to do so.
He must do more. He must persuade them that it is also such a relatively insignificant piece of paper that it will make no fundamental difference to Britain’s relationship with the EU.
We all know that is an impossible task because, like it or not, the creation of an EU President and an EU Foreign Office etc is yet another giant leap down the yellow brick road to a super-state.
What’s more, Gordon Brown’s Government was re-elected on the pledge that we would have a referendum on the EU constitution.
He now weasels out of it by claiming the treaty isn’t a constitution. But a mackerel by any other name would stink as badly.
Ask Gisela Stewart, the Labour MP for Edgbaston. She knows it’s a fundamental shift in our relations with the EU and so she should as she was on the committee which drew up the constitution in the first place.
So it is possible that, having promised us a referendum, MPs of all parties will vote for one.
The arguments against a referendum revolve around two claims: that the change is not that basic thanks to Gordon’s “red line” opt-outs; and that the issues are far too complicated for the likes of us to understand.
None of that really gets away from the fact that Gordon and his chums promised a referendum and now they refuse to keep their promise.
Perhaps we should retain some faith in Parliamentary sovereignty and assume there are enough honourable Labour MPs and Liberal Democrats willing to join the campaign calling for a referendum.
Let’s not assume the worst about our Parliament. Let’s assume our politicians believe they should keep their promises.
But let’s do everything in our power to persuade them that our country’s interests should come first.
And perhaps the BBC would be kind enough to wait for the decision of Parliament before writing off the next three months of debate.
We shouldn’t take this as read, however. There is the small question of national sovereignty as expressed by the Houses of Parliament.
For Gordon Brown to ratify the treaty-not-constitution, he must succeed in persuading the members of both the Commons and Lords not merely that it is in Britain’s interests to do so.
He must do more. He must persuade them that it is also such a relatively insignificant piece of paper that it will make no fundamental difference to Britain’s relationship with the EU.
We all know that is an impossible task because, like it or not, the creation of an EU President and an EU Foreign Office etc is yet another giant leap down the yellow brick road to a super-state.
What’s more, Gordon Brown’s Government was re-elected on the pledge that we would have a referendum on the EU constitution.
He now weasels out of it by claiming the treaty isn’t a constitution. But a mackerel by any other name would stink as badly.
Ask Gisela Stewart, the Labour MP for Edgbaston. She knows it’s a fundamental shift in our relations with the EU and so she should as she was on the committee which drew up the constitution in the first place.
So it is possible that, having promised us a referendum, MPs of all parties will vote for one.
The arguments against a referendum revolve around two claims: that the change is not that basic thanks to Gordon’s “red line” opt-outs; and that the issues are far too complicated for the likes of us to understand.
None of that really gets away from the fact that Gordon and his chums promised a referendum and now they refuse to keep their promise.
Perhaps we should retain some faith in Parliamentary sovereignty and assume there are enough honourable Labour MPs and Liberal Democrats willing to join the campaign calling for a referendum.
Let’s not assume the worst about our Parliament. Let’s assume our politicians believe they should keep their promises.
But let’s do everything in our power to persuade them that our country’s interests should come first.
And perhaps the BBC would be kind enough to wait for the decision of Parliament before writing off the next three months of debate.
posted by nigel hastilow at 5:06 AM
6 Comments:
you are right about the enoch speech and your saying what the nation is thinking. finally someone to speak up. well done sir
Nigel,
An alternative to political Parties would be nice: how about you going as an Independent!!- the way all MPs should be!!
A question:
How is Gordon Brown 'First amongst Equals' having the support of 318 MPs-less than 50% of the elected House of Commons??
You make me ashamed to be a Conservative
Nigel,
It is outrageous you are being put in this position. Cameron, like Brown and Blair, is gutless. I wish you had stayed and spoken out, this is nothing short of censorship, and when that stupid Blears adds her voice I am sure you know you have touched a nerve.
Wish you were staying, I might have voted Cons. next time round. Unfortunately all the good/honest guys are going
Its about time someone stood up and said what most people are thinking and that is this country is rapidly going to the dogs. Labour has destroyed this country over the last ten years Maggie Thatcher would have not put up with immigration the way it is.
Nigel,
You make me proud to be a conservative!
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