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The new European Union treaty contains only 10 changes to the 250 proposals originally outlined in the former EU constitution, according to the first authoritative analysis of the English translation published yesterday.*Telegraph EU referendum petition
A guide to the treaty, produced by the Conservatives, shows that, apart from presentational changes, the constitution had been brought back with a sweeping transfer of powers to Brussels over 90 per cent intact.William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said it was "the EU constitution by another name" - after the original version was rejected by voters in France and Holland two years ago.He quoted Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Spanish foreign minister, who reportedly said: "The wrapping has been changed, but not the content", while Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, said: "Thankfully, they haven't changed the substance - 90 per cent is still there."According to the Tory analysis, the new treaty will create an EU president; an EU foreign minister in all but name with a diplomatic service; a single legal personality, enabling the EU to sign treaties; new powers for the European Commission, Court of Justice and European Parliament and 60 vetoes lost.Mr Hague said the Government's so-called "red lines", protecting vital national interests, were badly holed. Foreign policy protection was based on a declaration, which was not legally binding and might be meaningless.The charter of fundamental rights might still be applied by via judgments by EU judges. The EU would gain powers on criminal law, including a European arrest warrant, and a European "FBI".Mr Hague said the Conservatives would campaign "energetically" for a referendum. He praised The Daily Telegraph's campaign for a referendum, which has been signed by 40,700 people since it was launched. "By any honest analytical standards, this treaty will mean, if it is enacted, a major transfer of powers from Britain to the EU," he said.It was "overwhelmingly the same" as the former constitution, which Labour's 2005 election manifesto promised would be put to the British people in a referendum.Mr Hague said the Government now claimed a referendum was not necessary because all its red lines had been met. But they were the same red lines that were in the previous constitution, which Labour acknowledged should be put to a vote.The new treaty is due to be agreed by EU leaders in October - nine working days after Parliament resumes after the long summer recess.Mr Hague said Gordon Brown wanted to get the new treaty through Parliament "on the quiet" and with the minimum public debate. "He wants this out of the way."However, the Conservatives were determined to ensure that the treaty was debated "as thoroughly and exhaustively" as Commons rules allowed.A separate study for Global Vision, which wants looser ties with Brussels, claimed that Labour had failed to stop EU tax harmonisation projects.
To read more go to:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/08/neu108.xml
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