Press release - 21st January 2008

NEW BRIEFING PAPER FROM GLOBAL VISION DEMANDS REFERENDUM

Ahead of the start of the Second Reading in the Commons today on the European Union (Amendment) Bill, Global Vision publishes a new briefing paper investigating why the EU Reform Treaty really does matter. 

The briefing paper's author and Chairman of Global Vision, Lord Blackwell, states:

"Whether one is for it or against this Lisbon Treaty, it is now clear that it will have a major impact on our relationship with Europe. It can no longer be dismissed as just a tidying up exercise. 

Those who favour an activist EU welcome the increased powers and streamlined decision making this Treaty gives to EU institutions. They see it as enabling the EU to drive forward an expanded agenda against the reservations of member states.

Those who favour a more limited role for the EU see the same transfer of powers as leading to further centralisation, over-regulation and intrusion into both the domestic and international affairs of member states. They favour keeping democratic control in our national parliament and elected government.

It is time the government opened up an honest debate about the kind of relationship we want with Europe and allowed a referendum before committing us to further European integration."