UK hatred of EU is our biggest challenge, says constitution commissioner
By Justin Stares in Brussels
(Filed: 20/02/2005)
Margot Wallström, the EU commissioner responsible for pushing through the controversial European constitution, has likened her task to "dressing Frankenstein's monster".
In her first public remarks about a job that will keep her busy for the next 18 months, Mrs Wallström told a press conference in Brussels that the British would prove particularly sceptical. "The UK is filled with hatred towards the EU institutions," she said. "But I consider this 'mission irresistible', not 'mission impossible'."
Margot Wallström
An easy win in today's Spanish referendum would put only a temporary spring in Mrs Wallström's step. The "yes" vote is expected to be overwhelming, albeit from a low turnout of about 20 per cent, but any rejoicing in Brussels is unlikely to last.
The European Commission expects the ride to become progressively rougher as the constitution bandwagon moves on.
The Netherlands, France and Denmark will be asked to vote on the text later this year, but the commission's opinion polls show the UK is more steadfastly opposed than any other country.
In a Eurobarometer poll last month, the UK was the only EU country in which opponents (30 per cent) outnumbered supporters (20 per cent). The rest said they did not know enough about the text to form an opinion.
Mrs Wallström said that winning minds was all about communication. She admitted that baffling bureaucracy, excessive use of "Eurospeak" and a culture of secrecy were in part responsible for the negative British perception of Brussels.
"Seven out of 10 people feel they know nothing or very little about Europe," she said. "And even more know nothing about the constitution."
She said Brussels had to own up to its weaknesses, including its bureaucratic way of working, before its image could be repaired.
When a city had to prove it was a city in order to be eligible for EU aid, she said, matters had got out of hand.
"We have to admit to systems that do not work properly," Mrs Wallström said. "When there is controversy, people shy away."
The commission's research suggests that better-informed citizens are more likely to say "yes" in a referendum – a discovery that prompted Brussels to allocate €8 million (£5.5 million) for information campaigns before the key votes.
Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, has turned down any cash for Britain, fearing the expenditure would be portrayed by the "no" campaign as evidence of interference, and efforts to create a European "super-state".
President George W Bush is expected to avoid commenting on the constitution during his visit to Europe this week.