Would you ratify the EU constitution

[Spacehopper]

Todays the day. It's been said that the fate of the EU is in French hands as they go to vote in their referendum today. Given the chance, how would you advise Johnny L'Onion to vote?

[louigi]

If it's all down to the mupets across the channel then we've no chance. After all they still think the worlds an Onion.

[onthetrain]

no thanks as much as i love france and most thihngs european I dont want europe dictating everything we do. It's bad enough as things stand!!

[Scuby]

In the words of Bart Simpson, "Hell No"!

I haven't sat and read the whole thing, I have far better things to do, but from looking at the various summaries (from sources as unbiased as I can think of) I can't see the point really. Half the changes don't actually do anything useful (like the legal personality thing). Other stuff such as foreign policy I don't like, I don't think we'd do very well having a common policy, but as anyone can decide to do their own thing anyway all it really seems to mean is that "we'll have a common policy in areas where we agree" - now sorry, but thats just pointless.

Half the problem I have with the constitution isn't the constitution as such, but the fact that a yes to the constitution may be interpreted as approval of the EU, which I don't want to give! The EU is a huge, expensive ineffective organisation - most money goes to farmers to grow food we don't need, and another significant part of the EU budget (10%!!!) is lost to fraud and misuse. Just think about that number - TEN PERCENT of everything we give to the EU is lost somewhere in the depths of the Commission. They have failed for over 10 years to do anything about it - how could I possibly vote yes to something that will give more power to the EU, how can I do anything that appears to give public support to such a corrupt institution? It might not be the Constitution itself at fault, but the constitution isn't doing anything about the corruption either, and until thats sorted I would rather we had nothing to do with the EU.

David

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Spacehopper

Todays the day. It's been said that the fate of the EU is in French hands as they go to vote in their referendum today. Given the chance, how would you advise Johnny L'Onion to vote?

Non, Nein, Nee, Never!

[Decodiver]

It is an interesting issue.

I, for one, hope that the French vote no, most of my family over there have assured me that that is their intention.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing really.

With Irish and French nationality I get to see it from a different perspective than most people.

The EU was originally set up to assist the poorer countries of central Western Europe at the end of the Second World War. The countries that had been devestated by the war, such as France and Germany have been the main beneficiaries of the Union since it's inception.

So a part of me questions, the validity and morality of France voting against a constitution that will aid the poorer countries of today.

On the other hand, I also see the creeping hand of Brussels-led bureaucracy that grabs more and more of our way of life each day. I see it here in the UK, in Ireland and in France and other EU countries also.

I am fortunate to travel widely throughout Europe in my 'real' job, and I have seen the way certain EU member countries fanatically apply European law (the UK almost to the letter) and others who couldn't give a monkey's.

Portugal is a good example of this, they produce floor tiles in illegal factories, burning all and anything in their furnaces without so much a by-your-leave for the Kyoto treaty and anti-pollution legislation. And they do so with impunity. Sell a pound of bananas in the UK however and the Trading 'Geheime Staatspolizei' Standards will come down on you like a metric tonne of bricks!

Not to mention the fact that they, and the Spanish, trawl and then sell the smallest of fish, that would ensure certain prosecution if sold in the UK.

So why should we want a Constitution that will only ever be applied by a few countries?

It is a difficult call, personally the whole thing needs to be rewritten IMHO and I am crossing my fingers that 'No' will carry the day .

The only downside is that Mr Tony 'I've Killed-Less-Foxes-Than-Servicemen' Blair will see a French and Dutch no vote as a huge 'Get out of Jail Free Card'.

And anything that makes that arrogant impotent Elf-faced prick's day easier really grates in my throat.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

[Richie]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

I dont want europe dictating everything we do. It's bad enough as things stand!!

They do already - the UK governments process seems to often take a fairly simple piece of EU legislation and then add their bureaucratic tweeks, checks and balances.
EU reality is much less domineering than the parochial UK government and its acolytes would have us believe. Power to themselves at a personal level perhaps.
I used to work in Brussels - not for the commission- and got to know a few of the eurocrats and without exception they were very bright, aware and conscientious (and a good laugh - Swedes excepted ).
Local power is a myth.

Sorry folks - minor rant. Must be the fact that I was in that glorious slurry pit called Dosthill today - other half doingher AOW. Good instructors; foul place.
Richard, Riccardo, Reeshaar uzw....

[ahar]

I'd vote yes - the EU has a lot of faults, but I believe that the principle is fundamentally sound. Helping the poorer countries of eastern europe is our responsibility and the EU is the best way of doing it.

We do contribute a lot of money to the EU, far more than we get back - and too right! We're a really rich country compared some others - it's only right that we give more.

Cue the red blobs flying at me

[Scuby]

Oooh, something just popped up on my computer telling me that 55% have voted NO (from exit polls).

Looks like the French have finally done something useful. Apologies (or should that be sympathies?) to anyone from France :O)

David

[Chardy]

No never, ever ! I might be leaving but I'd fly back to vote NO