an article for Liberal Democrat News September 19th 2003

These are defining moments for this country on Europe. Of course, we Lib Dems gathered at Brighton have no monopoly of interest in the European dimension of British politics. Nowadays Labour, too, believes itself to be a good European party. That is why we must examine last week’s White Paper on the draft Constitution with more than usual care.

Against the backdrop of the Hutton inquiry, one can hardly be astonished to find the publication partial, narrow and complacent. The government is in denial about the constitutional nature of the innovations, some of them very radical, agreed by the Convention. It finds it hard to accept that the Charter of Fundamental Rights is to become binding. Confusingly, it claims that the pooling of sovereignty strengthens the independence of the 'nation State'. It ignores the crucial role of the Commission in identifying the common European interest, and is silent about the election of the Commission President by MEPs. The government appears not to know that the new Foreign Minister will be a Vice-President of the Commission, in charge of a joint administration using EU as well as national resources. The wide extension of the legislative and budgetary powers of the European Parliament hardly gets a mention. Nor does the enhanced constitutional role for the Court of Justice.

While the importance of more qualified majority voting in the Council is upheld as good for the UK - 'we are rarely outvoted' - the government wishes to stick to unanimity for some poorly defined 'vital national interests'. It is not explained how common foreign, security and defence policy can be developed unanimously, or how fiscal policy obstacles to the smooth operation of the single market can be lessened without QMV.

The government brings its own unique interpretation of the job of the full-time President of the European Council. Widespread fears about a possible clash with the functions of Commission President and EU Foreign Minister are passed over.

Mr Blair will have to do better than this at the IGC. He should grasp the opportunity provided by the Convention to find his way back into Europe. If Europe is as good for Britain as Mr Blair claims, he should support whole-heartedly the package deal achieved by the Convention. At Brighton this week, we must show him the way forward.