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News Archive 2004

21/07/2004
Europe has missed a real opportunity

The agreement by the Heads of the Government over the EU Constitution has been condemned as a missed opportunity by Conservatives in the European Parliament today.

Speaking during the Strasbourg debate on the Irish Presidency, Jonathan Evans MEP, Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, said: "Europe could have chosen a better way. It could have decided to tidy up the Treaties in a simplifying document. It could have given national parliaments a real say in EU legislation.

"It could have looked more closely at what could be better done by national governments. It could have set out a clear obligation on the Union to tackle fraud and maladministration.

"Sadly, the opportunity to convince people that the EU is serious about reforming itself was missed.

"In the recent elections, my Party returned the largest number of MEPs. We are against the Constitution. In fact, over half the British MEPs elected are against the Constitution. It is clear that we speak for a large section of the British electorate.

"This cannot be lightly dismissed as we move towards the referendum on the Constitution."

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