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Blair has just called the General Election for 05/05/05 At this election the only thing that matters is whether the parliament to which we elect MPs has the power to govern in our interests.

The Beano Agency  

A new “Fundamental Rights Agency” to police European Union institutions and national governments for signs of racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination is being set up by the EU Commission.

It is to be based in Vienna, will have a mandate to monitor and “issue opinions” on whether rights enshrined in the proposed new European constitution are being protected. The agency will incorporate an existing EU “Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia” in Vienna.

Its mandate will be restricted to monitoring EU laws and their implementation by member states.

Yet already we are being warned that this new agency will widen its own mandate to investigate other subjects such as such domestic violence against women.

This agency will be the power base for the EU “Charter of Fundamental Rights” ensuring that the Charter we were told by Keith Vas, the then Europe Minister, would have no more legal effect than the Beano, becomes an enforceable bond.  As the EU Constitution will give the EU new powers over justice and security matters, it can be expected that the “Fundamental Rights Agency” will take its place in the plethora of EU enforcement agencies.

Apparently: “The agency’s aim will not be blaming and shaming a particular member state it will be to stimulate, to persuade and to suggest, if necessary, some changes.” That is what we are being told now but it is a sure bet that at some point this agency will be given teeth, this is the way the EU operates firstly it announces some new concept which is put in place it then gradually adds powers and responsibilities to that agency. The British Government broadly supports the agency, as long as its advice is “non-binding” and its main focus is “gathering information and advising on good practice. That will bring comfort to anyone worried about even more transfer of power from our elected representatives to Brussels unaccountable autocracy, unless of course they also remember Keith Vas and the Beano.

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“Like many former Labour voters and activists, I feel angry that Labour have become increasingly authoritarian and failed to safeguard civil liberties. They have used the threat of terror to push for house arrest and compulsory ID cards and to justify the illegal war in Iraq.”