Kinnock declares EU constitution dead
Link: Kinnock declares EU constitution dead
In an interview on Radio 4’s Today programme, Ex-European Commissioner Neil Kinnock said that the treaty on the EU constitution is ‘dead’ after 55% of French people voted ‘No’ in Sunday’s referendum.
Lord Kinnock said that the UK government could not express that view before the Dutch referendum on 1 June and in light of its pending presidency of the European Council. He said that the constitution was too complicated and that it would be “a mistake” for EU leaders to disregard any votes rejecting the constitution.
The Dutch are expected to return a similar result to the French, when its referendum is held in Holland on Wednesday.
Tony Blair said that it was too early to say whether Britain will hold a referendum on the constitution. He asked for a “time for reflection”, following the result from France, which he said raised profound questions about Europe’s future.
On Monday, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will make a statement in the Commons, on the implication of the French vote.
The constitution’s stated aim is to streamline decision-making in the enlarged EU of 25 countries. It has to be ratified by all member states to become law.
