The constitution will establish the EU as a separate body in law so the EU can sign international agreements as a single bloc rather than as 25 different countries. It will create the permanent post of European Council President that will stop the current rotation system of presidency. It will also create the post of EU Foreign Minister combining the two positions of foreign relations representatives in the Council and Commission. The Charter of Fundamental Rights would be incorporated into the constitution and would therefore strengthen it. It would remove each country’s right of veto in over 30 areas replacing it with qualified majority voting, it would set out an exit clause and a suspension clause.
Supporters of the constitution will argue that it will simplify and consolidate European laws that are built up from many different treaties. It also makes practical sense to sign new treaties and agreements with one signature not 25 as the EU is already an economic union. Some economists believe that this will be a step towards a single European state that will accelerate the extension of EU powers. They also believe that the Constitution will create powerful posts of President and Foreign Minister. These spokesperson’ could undermine member states’ ability to represent themselves independently at international level. This is challenged however by views for the constitution that the EU will have a greater clout and clarity on the world stage by the strengthening of the leadership.
It is believed that the Constitution will help citizens to see how decision making is organised because it sets down on paper in one document for the first time how the EU works, it also will strengthen citizens rights by including the charter of fundamental rights. However economists state that although it explains how the EU institutions and countries relate to each other and how decisions are made, it doesn’t address how citizens relate to EU institutions. And citizens will find it hard to influence policies on justice and home affairs at EU level because MEPs are still relatively weak when it comes to regulations and law making.
One of the biggest arguments against the constitution is that the Constitution may establish a greater co – operation on defence that could undermine NATO. This is a concern for the UK that as we run in close connections with America if we sign the European Constitution those connections could be jeopardised.
Under the EU Constitution the UK’ independence would be limited because the UK would not be able to veto unacceptable laws in key areas such as trade because the Constitution would mean that national parliaments could not force the European Commission to withdraw laws. Therefore there is little advantage to national parliaments debating laws if they do not have to the powers to stop them.
The constitution impacts on how British people interact with other European countries now and in the future. It will affect how we’re represented globally as `European citizens`. It’s biggest impact for the next generation because the constitution may bring closer political integration.
People still disagree on how important the constitution is and about what will happen if a UK referendum rejects or accepts it. Some argue that the constitution will just clarify or tidy up the running of the EU while others say it will fundamentally change the UK’s independence and position in Europe. If the UK rejects the constitution it is thought that the UK will be pushed to the margins of the EU or even forced to leave it entirely, affecting British people economically and politically. On the other hand it is thought that the UK’s independence will be secured and the government’s accountability to its citizens secured. The impact will be less dramatic if referendums in other countries also reject it.
If the poll accepts the Constitution people think that the EU bureaucracy will be expanded, economic and political integration speeded up creating a country called “Europe”. Those in favour of the constitution say that it will make the EU more accountable and better run bringing EU issues and laws closer to home.
