A Constitution Based on Rights

Written by Sarah Ludford MEP and published in Highbury & Islington Express on Fri 15th Aug 2003

They say there is nothing new in history. Well how about this that I read in an exhibition in Berlin? William Penn penned an 'Essay towards the present and future peace of Europe' in 1693 and wrote the following:

'Now if the Sovereign Princes of Europe would, for the same reason that engaged Men first into Society, viz Love of Peace & Order, agree to meet by their Stated Deputies in a general Dyet, Estates or Parliament, and there Establish Rules of Justice for Sovereign Princes to observe one to another ….'

He could have been writing about the recent Convention on the Future of Europe chaired by former French President Giscard D'Estaing. This grouped MPs and MEPs with ministers in a year-long 'general dyet' to establish a framework for the EU in the next decades! Their efforts now pass to EU governments to be decided this autumn.

Anti-Europeans have worked themselves up into a lather over the notion that the European Union should have a constitution. But that means having just one document in place of the various treaties agreed by governments over the last 60 years. It will also set limits to EU action.

A constitution will never be bedtime reading, but it will make it easier to find out who does what and why.

Liberal Democrats will call for a referendum if the outcome is significant change in the powers of the EU. Tories are already saying one should happen and the Labour government has pronounced that it is only a 'tidying-up exercise'. And yet neither know what will be the final outcome!

Particular venom has been reserved for what William Penn would call the 'rules of justice' for European conduct. The Convention has proposed making the European Union's 'Charter of Fundamental Rights' legally binding by entrenching it in the constitution.

But that is a perverse stance. The Charter would mainly act to restrain EU bodies from exceeding their powers, surely a very positive move.

It would also stop the common but unacceptable British government habit of 'gold-plating'. This is when EU directives (which ministers have already helped decide) are embroidered by Whitehall so they become 3 times as onerous when implemented in national law - with Brussels copping the blame!

Euro-MPs before we broke up for recess passed two new laws to increase consumer rights.

In the face of US trade threats over the blocking of American GM products, the European Parliament backed strong EU action to protect the right of consumers to choose not to eat GM food.

We insisted on strict labelling requirements that will keep shoppers informed of what they are buying. And any growing of GM crops - which is up to our UK government to decide - will only be allowed under stringent conditions.

Following Liberal Democrat amendments, EU countries will be able to enforce buffer zones to protect traditional and organic farming from GM contamination.

MEPs also voted a new EU law on payouts for passengers left stranded by airlines, £150 for short-haul flights rising to £400 for long-haul flights.

These rules will make airlines think twice before cancelling flights or bumping people off them, at least for next year's holiday period!