THE recent proposals now under discussion for the new European Constitution include the transfer of power over this country?s foreign policy to a new EU foreign minister. It requires the ?progressive framing? of a common defence and security policy, again under EU control. It encompasses the adoption of a European Charter of rights, binding in law on our courts and it would give to the EU the legal power to ?co-ordinate? the economic and employment policies of the member states.
The Labour government claims that this is tidying up the already existing powers of the European Union and that there is no need for a referendum. It is less important, for example, than the issue of a Welsh assembly or city mayors. At the same time, Labour is proposing the division of England into EU-determined regions to be governed by an additional tier of politicians in regional parliaments and regional governments with their own direct relationship with the EU in Brussels.
I am asking all of those who disagree with these policies of this government to unite in resisting them. Starting on 31st May and throughout the summer at our local shows and elsewhere, I will be seeking signatures in West Devon and Torridge to a cross-party petition calling for a referendum on the proposed EU Constitution and, separately, for West Devon residents to register their opposition to the proposed regional government for the South West by supporting the campaign to keep our democracy local. I would urge people who share these concerns, regardless of party sympathy, to join the campaign by signing the petitions or registering on the web at http://www.devonsayskeepitlocal.org">www.devonsayskeepitlocal.org
Geoffrey Cox
(Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for West Devon and
Torridge)