"EU chiefs 'satisfied' with treaty"

[catgate]

But the ordinary citizens, who count for nothing, have no voice and are keeping the trough topped up, are not.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6233640.stm

[andsome]

I would like to know just what that last junket cost us all, and exactly what the continuing running costs are. The whole situation stinks of overpaid jobs for the boys and girls. I honestly cannot think of a single benefit out of the EU. Every £ invested in the UK, actually costs us in the region of £1.67, that was the last figure that I heard. Why the hell don't we hang on to the 67p and spend it here?

[Tankus]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said that Ireland is likely to have a referendum on the new EU Treaty agreed by the bloc’s leaders at the weekend.

Speaking on RTÉ radio the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Dermot Ahern said that the Government is “very happy” with the deal brokered to replace the failed 2004 draft European Constitution.

Given that the new agreement has not dramatically changed the substance of the 2004 agreement brokered during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, the Minister said, “It is likely that a referendum will be held.”

The Minister said that while there has been speculation that a referendum won’t be required to pass the treaty, the decision to hold a vote is dependent on the advice of the Attorney General.

“It was our strong legal advice that the draft Constitution would have required a referendum in Ireland,” said the Minister.

Irish examiner

Higlights are mine

apparently its substantially the same which the the French and Dutch voting population rejected in their referendums ,which cancelled the need for ours , supposedly

“The substance of what was agreed in 2004 has been retained,” he said.

Last night William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said: "As each day goes by, more and more of the Government's case on the EU treaty falls to pieces.

"It is now getting clearer and clearer that this is basically the constitution by another name. Large amounts of power have been transferred to Brussels and the Government has failed to safeguard Britain's interests.

"People in Britain will want to know, when Irish voters will decide for themselves on this crucial treaty, why Gordon Brown thinks British people do not have the right to have their say, even though he promised they would."

The Tories said that the small print of a deal struck in the early hours of Saturday in Brussels would make it far easier for European leaders to abolish national vetoes in future and consolidate ever more power in Brussels.

Under the deal, they said EU leaders would be able to slip through major changes -including the end of vetoes -by resorting to a "less visible" procedure for creating new EU powers called the "simplified revision procedure".

This will allow future EU treaties to be changed by amendment, rather than an entire treaty having to be agreed.

Mr Hague added: "The EU will no longer need new treaties to scrap national vetoes or expand important powers." European Commission lawyers believe the new procedure will help to avoid clamours for future referendums because the public and MPs will not easily be able to detect a drift of power to Brussels.

"There will be a lack of clarity and people will have to do their own private research to get an overview of what is going on," said an official.

The only policy areas where the veto will not be open to future challenge will be military or defence policy.

The sole safeguard against the EU extending its powers in justice, policing or welfare will be a clause giving national parliaments six months to declare opposition.

EU sources told The Daily Telegraph that Mr Brown's hands have been tied by the politically binding "mandate" signed by Mr Blair.

"This clear and precise mandate is politically binding to any successor of the leaders that signed it," said a senior diplomat. "It is as binding as the EU's CO2 emissions targets we agreed in March. Who would try and go back on those?"

Yesterday Romano Prodi, the Italian prime minister, launched an outspoken attack on countries, including Britain and Poland, that had placed national interests ahead of European goals.

Telegraph

This is why blair hung on

edit____________________________________________________________________________

_________________

.....the last laugh.......

[andsome]

I just cannot understand why Browns ratings in the polls has now risen. It just goes to show how blind the majority of British people are. The whole E.U. system is jobs for the boys and girls, and power in the hands of the unelected. Heath started it, and the current crowd are driving us further and further into the total mess that Europe has become. we were kidded by both Heath and Wilson that we were taking part in a common market. What a joke that has turned out to be. Both B'liar and Brown are trying to kid us that we are getting a good deal, and our interests are being safeguarded. This business of these two comedians in their so called standing up for British rights is just a sham, and I am sure that the rest of the crazy gang in Europe are party to it.

"Let''s just pretend that we Brits are being a little bit stubborn, but you can take us over in any case by the back door, and it will look good for us all. and will look as though we have been looking after British interests".

You can well imagine it can't you. :( :( :(

[catgate]

The will of the people.

The sorry thing about this now trite phrase is that it fails to mention which people.

[andsome]

The will of the people.

The sorry thing about this now trite phrase is that it fails to mention which people.

The people on the gravy train.