Comments on: European Constitution

By: I Stock

I Stock — Fri, 10 Jun 2005 22:56:29 +0000

Preferaly more accoutnable than national government. Half the problem in the member states is that people don’t like their domestic polticial arrangements, most of which are historical accidents or were cobbled together in a different time. I certainly would not recommend that the E.U. based itself on the British model - I have far higher hopes of it than that.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 13:46:39 +0000

There are many everyday gains that EU citizens take for granted: freedom to work anywhere in Europe, equal rights to study, improved environmental standards and free emergency health care on holiday, to name just a few. But to cope with having 25 Member States and to continue being a positive force the EU should rewrite its rules.

Whatever settlement is agreed in the future, it needs to strengthen the link between Europe and its Citizens.

Elections to the European Parliament should not be regarded as voting for a glorified county council. As defenders of the rights of EU Citizens, the European Commission should have a directly elected President. In an ever more interdependent world, European governance should be as democratically accountable as national government.

By: I Stock

I Stock — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 11:40:18 +0000

Many people now gloating in this country about what they expect to be the imminent demise of the E.U. on the back of the French and Dutch vote, need to remember one thing. For every ‘friend’ in Germany, France or elsewhere who was ‘displeased’ by inflation, there are several more who will stand up for the E.U. Many people in F and NL categorically stated that their No votes were NOT votes against the E.U., but other (not inconsiderable) issues. I know some of them.

I am hopeful that the votes and the preceding discussions in those countries mark a new period of open democratic discussion across the E.U. ( something that has been clearly lacking in many states for too long). I hope that the leaders will take note of the expressed opinions, and come up with something more palatable. That is the practical meaning of democracy! If they do not do this, then the E.U. indeed deserves to lose credibility and support, but we are not at that stage yet.

What is now needed is a major effort to make visible the actual everyday gains that ordinary people take from European integration, address the democratic deficit, and put the politics at the service of the people, rather than the other way round. In no country is that more needed than the U.K.

By: Mr Pooter

Mr Pooter — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 21:43:03 +0000

A Vile Pain.

By: Colonel Mad

Colonel Mad — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 23:25:14 +0000

Monsieur de Villepin

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 15:01:16 +0000

If the Euro has pushed up prices by 40% why is core eurozone inflation just 1.4%? (FT 02.06.05)

At the end of the day, retailers set their prices and it is up to consumers to accept or reject them. The Euro does not cause inflation.

We cannot have free trade in Europe with 25 different sets of trade laws, economic policies and tax regimes. Free trade requires a politically strong EU.

On the other hand, Europe’s social market, so valued by the French and Dutch, is under threat and constitutional change is viewed with suspicion. Is this why people voted in such numbers for the European status quo?

By: Roger

Roger — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 12:23:44 +0000

The EU Constitution is dead. It is about time the politicians realised that the people are not going to accept more interference and more costs (German friends reckoned the \x80 cost them close to 40% inflation - similar to our 100% within 2 months of going decimal and French friends were not that pleased either)both of which would have accrued from what appears to be an unstaiable lust for a bigger (and maybe a more politically powerful) EC.
If the Pm wants support then he and his colleagues might do well going back to the original idea for the EC - TRADE. You know the stuff silly people who actually have a job do 5-6 days a week, PRODUCING selling and buying things.
Just a thought.