Blair backs draft EU constitution

Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed the controversial draft for a European Union constitution.

In a White Paper foreword from Mr Blair, he advocated the draft treaty as the basis for a more effective European Union.

Conservatives have slammed the proposed constitution, drawn up by the European Convention headed by Valery Giscard d’Estaing, as a carte blanche for a fully-fledged federal Europe, and renewed calls for a referendum.

However, rejecting such calls, Mr Blair insisted that the UK would negotiate a Constitutional Treaty that would be "good for Britain, and good for Europe".

Writing in the foreword, the Prime Minister said that this is a time of real significance for the European Union and for Britain.

"Britain has been a champion of EU enlargement for many years," he said.

"We wholeheartedly welcome it. But modernisation of Europe's decision-making structures is essential to make it a success."

In a statement, Mr Blair denied that the discussions would end in a "federal superstate" and stressed that the UK would only accept a final text where issues such as tax, defence and foreign policy remain with the nation state.

The Prime Minister added: "I look forward to discussing these issues with our European partners. I am confident that we will negotiate a new Constitutional Treaty that will promote the national, and the patriotic, interest. Like next year's enlargement of the Union, that will be good for Britain, and good for Europe."

However, speaking in the House of Commons today, Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram denounced the government’s response as more of a “white flag” than a White Paper.

An intergovernmental conference to is set to take place to discuss and agree a new constitution for the EU between all 25 member states.

(SP)