press release from the office of Richard Corbett MEP

24 March 2004

Tory leader's view on the draft constitution "preposterous", says Labour MEP

Michael Howard's suggestion that the draft new Constitution for the European Union is "the greatest change to Britain's constitutional arrangements since the 17th Century" is preposterous.

So says Richard Corbett MEP, Labour's spokesperson on European Constitutional Affairs.

"To the extent that any EU treaties have affected our national Constitution, the treaty of Maastricht was far more significant than the current proposals. Maastricht transferred new fields of responsibility to the European Union (e.g. on environment and consumer protection), which the draft Constitution does not do. Yet Mr Howard opposed a referendum on Maastricht."

"The draft new Constitution makes the EU institutions more accountable to Member States and citizens than is the case under the current constitution, i.e. the various overlapping treaties. It does not increase the field of responsibility of the Union. Nor does it change the fact that is the Member States themselves who determine the EU's responsibilities."

"Mr Howard claims that he wants to safeguard the vital interests of this country. He should then support the draft new Constitution, as it is in our interest that the enlarged EU function efficiently and democratically."

More information

Contact Toby Wardman, Press & Communications Officer for Richard Corbett MEP

phone 0113 245 8987