Blair seeks EU constitution by the 'back door'

George Jones and Bruno Waterfield
The Telegraph
Apr. 22, 2007

Tony Blair was accused yesterday of preparing to introduce a scaled-down European constitution by the "back door" before he quits as Prime Minister this summer.

The Conservatives and the UK Independence Party reacted angrily after Downing Street confirmed Mr Blair did not believe a referendum would be needed on a new European treaty expected to be agreed during his final days in office.

After the European constitution was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands, EU leaders are looking at ways of introducing many key changes by amending existing treaties.

Mr Blair told journalists on Thursday that a treaty amending the existing legal base would not have the characteristics of the constitution which aimed to re-establish the Union with the trappings of statehood, such as a flag and anthem.

A Brussels summit on June 21 will be Mr Blair's last appearance on the European stage and will tie the hands of his successor on key EU constitution issues.

Germany, the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, has confirmed that talks will go beyond setting a timetable for a new European treaty to tackle the substance. Berlin has sent a questionnaire to all Europe's capitals and is asking for feedback on a 12-point checklist of controversial points from the former EU constitution.

Britain, the Netherlands and Czech Republic have all called for elements that have constitutional trappings to be dropped in order to avoid a requirement that it be approved by a referendum.

But the 18 EU countries that have already ratified, or largely ratified, the constitution will resist fundamental change.

Both Labour and the Conservatives were committed to a referendum on the original constitution, but it was shelved after the No votes in France and the Netherlands.

Mr Blair expects to agree the basic outline of a new treaty at the June summit, leaving his successor to oversee negotiations on details and ratification by Parliament.

Downing Street confirmed yesterday it was Mr Blair's view that a referendum on proposed changes in Brussels would not be needed. It declined to say to what extent Gordon Brown, Mr Blair's likeliest successor, had been involved in discussions.

William Hague, the Conservative foreign affairs spokesman, said: "What he is saying now sounds suspiciously like an attempt to introduce elements of it by the back door, despite its decisive rejection by the voters of France and Holland."

Nigel Farage, UK Independence Party leader, said: "The British people have not had a say on our position in the EU for 32 years, and we must have a referendum on any treaty which transfers power away from Westminster.''












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