18/10/06 - Pro European Lib Dems Attempt To 'Raise The Dead'

'Liberal Democrats attempt to raise the dead' - Neil Parrish MEP

Tinkering around the edges of the European constitution will make it no more palatable

Brussels, 18^th October 2006 -- European politicians and leaders should stop "tinkering around the edges" of the European constitution in a desperate attempt to revive the doomed document, Neil Parish, Conservative MEP for the south west, said today.

His comments come ahead of the launch of "Plan B: how to rescue the European Constitution", in the European Parliament on Wednesday. The presentation by LibDem MEP, Andrew Duff, will suggest rewriting part III of the constitution so that it tackles issues like climate change and economic governance. Mr Duff told one EU affairs website - Euobserver - that, "What I am trying to do is to rejuvenate the creature."

On Monday night in London, the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, suggested a name change is what is required to facilitate the revival of the constitution.

But Neil Parrish MEP (Conservative, South West) argues that, with two founding members of the EU having rejected the constitution, attempts to rejuvenate the doomed document will just enhance the public disdain for European politicians and institutions.

Mr Parish said:

"The European constitution died when the voters of France and Holland overwhelmingly rejected it. MEPs and EU leaders are trying to raise the dead by taking the rejected constitution and tinkering around the edges.

"The voters have already signalled they do not want the European Union to take more power than it currently has. Unless we come up with a treaty that dramatically slims down the EU, the voters will keep saying no. Unfortunately, certain people do not seem to understand the meaning of the word."

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, "The meddling Lib Dems continue to ignore crystal clear public opinion on the European Constitution.  No wonder local residents don't trust the out of touch, out of favour Lib Dems."