Constitutional Matters
Whatever one’s view is of the European Union, it is regrettable that successive British governments have not told the truth about treaties, inter-governmental conferences and the like. At least if there was an honest debate, it would dispel any false impressions, whether one favours these developments or not.
It is truly incredible that by excising the word constitution, somehow the essential elements of the constitution are meant to disappear. It was Giscard d’Estaing who drove on the process towards a constitutional treaty. He has now confirmed, along with virtually every other European leader, that the old constitution is alive and well, and simply re-phrased. It is real Alice in Wonderland stuff. Once again a British Government has failed to set out its stall, or a clear vision of the future architecture of the EU, and then fought for it.
Yet, so far at least, the public appear not to be too passionate, on this occasion, about what has happened. At best, the constitution is a voyage into irrelevance as the EU grapples with problems which pale into insignificance compared with the huge challenge Europe faces in the 21st Century. All very strange indeed.