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March 10, 2005
Worried About the Constitution?
Are you worried about the European Constitution? Are you confused about claims and counter claims? From England Expects (who has now outed himself) comes this handy little list. These are the people, being paid for by our money, via the European Parliament, tasked with correcting errors of fact about that very Constitution.
We expect them to counter anti- arguments, of course, but why not task them with countering a few pro- ones? I have one in mind which I will send to each and all of them, and let you know the results. Why not think up your own to ask them, drop them a line, after all, they’re working on our dime?
Gérard LAPRAT glaprat@europarl.eu.int (Former Sec-Gen of the Communists in the EP)
Jowita WYPYCH jwypych@europarl.eu.int
Joëlle FISS jfiss@europarl.eu.int
Ralph PINE rpine@europarl.eu.int
Bertrand PELTIER bpeltier@europarl.eu.int
Dominique ROBERT drobert@europarl.eu.int
Danièle RECHARD drechard@europarl.eu.int
Wilhelm LEHMANN wlehmann@europarl.eu.int
Jose Luis PACHECO jpacheco@europarl.eu.int
This little letter has gone off to all of them, but I note that email address two bounces back, as does the last one (corrected now, should work).
Sir,
I understand that you are part of the "Combat Inaccuracy and Distortion on the Constitution" Team. I would welcome your guidance on a matter of fact to do with this very constitution.
As you may be aware, Margot Wallstrom now runs a blog (a web log) and this question has been asked a number of times there. As yet there has been no answer to the question posed so I write to ask if you can solve this little conundrum, for quite clearly the public site of the Vice President of the Commission counts as part of the media, and therefore such elucidations come under your remit.
The question:
"Here in the UK, our Labour politicians say that the European Constitution is only a 'tidying up exercise', while on the continent most politicians state categorically that it is the foundation of a Federal Europe. If one is right, then the other must be either lying or ignorant. Where do you stand on this issue?"
Could you please provide me with the promised factual answer, the clarification needed to combat such inaccuracy and distortion? Is the Constitution a tidying up exercise? or is it the foundation of a Federal Europe?
Please note that I shall publish your response at my blog, as I will publicise any failure on your part to answer this interesting little enquiry.
yours etc,
Tim Worstall
March 10, 2005 in European Union | Permalink
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» It's a bit thick for a To-Do list from The England Project
England Expects supplies us with a number of email addresses which, I hope, belong to people that can help me with something I have been wondering about for a while (indeed I am not the only one). These helpful people... [Read More]
Tracked on Mar 10, 2005 2:18:40 PM
Comments
Naturally, it is absolutely impossible that different people might hold different opinions on the same issue. Outrageous. All good democrats must think exactly the same way, or else they are either lying or ignorant.
Tim, has it ever occurred to you that you are a spammer?
Posted by: Alex | Mar 10, 2005 12:55:30 PM
Alex
But if the taxpayer is paying for this unit, then all examples of factual innacuracy should be dealt with.That is not the case with this unit.
For example, when all the senior political parties in Holland held a press conference where they said that if Holland was to vote No they would be thrown out of the EU, that is factually incorrect, in law that is impossible.
The Unit has yet to respond.
Posted by: Elaib | Mar 10, 2005 1:24:50 PM
Tim's question makes a false assumption: it is not an either-or option.
The constitution can be both things - tidying up (which it undoubtedly does) and being a foundation for a federal Europe (which already exists).
In what way is Europe not already federal? There is a central authority with distinct powers, and constituent parts taking responsibility for many areas. Sounds like federalism to me... Tim's question seems to be pointing to a discrepancy that doesn't really exist.
Posted by: Third Avenue | Mar 10, 2005 1:37:30 PM
third avenue
I am not sure that the question is based upon a false premise. The UK government, has and still do claim that the EU is and Association of Sovereign Nation States, i.e. a confederation
Confederation is a term for a group of independent states, united for specified purposes, while generally retaining more freedom of action than the members of a federation. Also may be termed a League, Alliance or Association.
Federation is term for a group of states, each internally independent, joined into a union to which has been surrendered certain rights and responsibilities, most of which deal with foreign affairs.
Posted by: Anoneumouse | Mar 11, 2005 10:59:35 AM
