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Lisbon Treaty Speech
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
The following is the full transcript of the speech I gave to the European Parliament this afternoon. The Parliament sat to debate the Lisbon Treaty, following the Irish vote last weekend. Newly re-elected President of the Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt also took part in the debate.
Presidents,
I speak as Leader of the British Conservatives in the European Parliament. For those of us who support the principle of the nation-states of Europe coming together to cooperate freely in the European Union, the progress of the Lisbon Treaty perhaps should not be such a cause of celebration.
The tragedy of our Union is that through too many eyes it has become an elitist project, pushing its ideology onto an increasingly sceptical public (according to Eurostat) by any means possible. You lose one referendum so you call another to get the result you want. If the term 'constitution' proves unpopular and unacceptable, it is given a fresh wrapping so past rejections can be ignored. If a promised referendum looks unwinnable it is cancelled without apparent shame or embarrassment.
In the UK all Political parties, including a Government in office, pledged that the people would be consulted on the future of Europe. The Socialists and Liberals subsquently reneged on their promise. Such political tricks may secure short-term advantages. But we should regret the fact that the peoples of Europe have hardly had their faith in their politicians enhanced by such cynical manoeuvres.
We in the ECR want a Europe built on the secure foundations of popular support and the democratic legitimacy offered by the institutions of its nation-states.
But, the Lisbon Treaty is a step in the wrong direction. By opening the door to a supranational foreign and security policy, by giving more power to the European institutions, by abolishing national vetoes in policy areas crucial to our member states, the Treaty takes a dramatic step towards the European super-state feared by many.
The peoples of Europe do not want a Union of ever closer centralisation, a Union that increases its powers at the expense of its member states, a Union which is remote from their daily concerns. They do want a Europe of diversity - a Europe where the different cultures and ways of life combine, where added value can be achieved.
They want a reformed Union - a more accountable, transparent, democratic Union which delivers value for money in the areas for which it has delegated responsibility. A Europe closer and more relevant to the people.
The people want a Union which does less but does it better.
The Lisbon Treaty has therefore been a missed opportunity. I served at the convention, following the Laeken Declaration, which I supported, which drafted the original Constitution text. I know the details well - the good points, as well as the unacceptable ones. UK Conservatives have been consistent in their concerns over the re-titled treaty which emerged. The failure to give the UK people a referendum has disappointed me.
We in the ECR will continue to fight for our vision of the European Union - a vision in tune with the hopes and aspirations of the peoples of Europe. We will continue to argue for a European Union fit for the purposes of the future not the past. For a European Union which rests securely on the support of its peoples and not only the priorities of its elite. We should all reflect on that.
ENDS
