Green Party - One World. One Chance. Vote Green.

EU Constitution must go back to drawing board, say Greens

24th Oct 2004

"We want a constitution, but the current proposal would entrench much of what's worst about the EU"

The Green Party announced from its conference in Weston Super Mare today that it would campaign actively against the current draft of the proposed EU Constitution - and would continue to offer positive, progressive policies for EU reform.

Caroline Lucas MEP, the party's Principal Speaker, said today: "We are committed to the European Union and to the idea of an EU constitutional treaty. But we want a more progressive EU, an EU which serves social justice and provides for an ecologically sustainable future."

The conference reiterated a previous statement by the party council that it would say "no" in the referendum to be held on the proposals, and committed the party to joining the umbrella "no" campaign that will be set up for the referendum.

But the Greens made it clear that they would not tolerate right-wing or xenophobic arguments. For the Greens, the issue was about the contents of the proposed draft, not least its economic provisions. Party campaigns coordinator and economics spokesperson Molly Scott Cato explained: "The current proposals would commit the EU strongly to neoliberal economics, which would take Europe in the wrong direction. Any move we might make towards building a sustainable economy could be ruled unconstitutional if it impeded the drive for profit that's central to the capitalist economy. There are more important things than profit."

Wrong type of constitution would derail real progress

She added: "There's a lot that needs improving about the EU, and the wrong type of constitution would derail real progress. The Constitution should enshrine principles of democracy, accountability, social justice and sustainability. The Greens will keep on making the progressive case for EU reform."

John Norris, the party's international coordinator, underlined that "The Greens are an unashamedly internationalist and pro-European party, but we are very sceptical about the existing arrangements in the EU. We want more decisions taken lower down, closer to the people most affected by them. We want the EU to take its proper role in dealing with issues that cross national boundaries, like human rights and environmental protection, and promoting peaceful and constructive ways to prevent conflict."

John, who introduced the motion, stressed the party's concerns about the increased military role of the EU. "The Green Party is about peace and we are not into a constitution which prescribes that all countries will increase their military capabilities. We are not in favour of an EU army - not even an EU army euphemised a 'rapid reaction force'."

For Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South East England, the proposed Constitution represented "a missed opportunity, because it fails the European people. Its original intention was to simplify the EU and redefine its areas of competence. But instead of allocating competences at the appropriate levels it actually extends EU powers and makes the EU more complicated. This is not what we need."

Related news - By the People, For the People