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06/02/2004
MEP calls for vote on EU constitution
Western Mail

by Daniel Davies

The Conservative Party will launch its campaign for a vote on the European constitution in Cardiff today.
Welsh MEP Jonathan Evans, leader of the European Parliament Conservative Group, will urge the Welsh public to call for a referendum on the European Constitution.

Mr Evans said, "We believe the British Government is wrong in refusing to allow a referendum on the EU Constitution.

"Whatever the Prime Minister may claim, the Conservative MEP team believes that the introduction of an EU Constitution would have a profound effect on our lives.

"That is why we, and almost 1.7 million people, voted in a national newspaper's referendum on this issue last year.

"Of this huge number, an overwhelming nine out of ten said that they wanted a chance to vote on whether an EU Constitution should be imposed on us.

"Many people still have little idea of what is being fashioned in their name. The Prime Minister claims that the Constitution is simply a 'tidying up exercise'.

"This is an amazing way to describe proposals which would see foreign and security issues decided by the European Union.

"Overall, the ancient English Common Law that has served us so well for centuries will be subsumed into European Law, with the result that we will be bound to harmonise our law with theirs.

"In the months ahead, we will be doing all we can to campaign for a referendum on an EU Constitution.

"The Government must not be allowed to reduce the United Kingdom to a bit-part player in the European superstate without the express support of the British people, who show every indication that they do not want such a policy."

Tories will hit the streets of Wales tomorrow asking people to sign a petition calling for a referendum which will be presented to the Government.

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