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French Vote: A Good Result for Democracy
Sunday 29 May 2005
In response to initial exit polls from France suggesting voters had rejected the EU Constitution, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, leader of Conservatives in the European Parliament, made the following comments:
On the result:
"Despite all the threats, all the Doomsday scenarios and all the blandishments, French voters have decided to reject the Constitution. It’s a good result for democracy."
On what should happen next in the EU:
"There is no need to go back to square one. The absurdity of some of the more outlandish Doomsday scenarios will become apparent in the next few days. Instead, the EU elite should accept the fact that a founding member of the EU has chosen to put the brakes on European integration.
"We do need a treaty that simplifies the Union. But it must be one which places nation states and national governments at the heart of decision-making. If the EU is to succeed in the new century it needs to be decentralised, less bureaucratic and more democratic."
On what should happen next in Britain:
"If this is truly the death of the Constitution, there is no point in having a referendum in Britain. But if EU leaders insist on continuing any ratification process, Britain should not only have a referendum but have it without delay.
"Tony Blair is anxious to delay a referendum until the last possible moment because he knows he will suffer a heavy defeat which would kill off his premiership. That is all the more reason for an early vote, which would leave Mr Blair in little doubt as to the extent of hostility in Britain towards the Constitution."
ENDS
