Tackling Short FOC Myths
February 11, 2005 by Ken
Filed under The Best of the Rest
Tackling Short FOC Myths
The FCO has this week been regaling us with its series of papers “Tackling myths about the European Constitutional Treatyâ€
What is becoming apparent as these papers are released on a daily basis is that they are very short, with very little information used to back up the basic point “Myth†making the basic case describing it as “Myth†this is then followed by a section of “Facts†each with a short sentence or two. The fact that in each case it can be clearly shown that the “Facts†are not facts at all but spin or outright lies is not the point, because to rebut these “Facts†the Eusceptic feels they have to go into details to show exactly where and how these “Facts†are misleading.
The very vagueness of the governments output is compelling us to go into great detail ourselves, I have written several pages showing where the Constitution does not back up the FOC version but feel it would be a waste of time posting them because they are simply not succinct enough.
The danger is that the public will just turn off from reading volumes of clauses and their likely interpretation by the ECJ. So I will try to find some short rebuts to the “Facts†I do not guarantee that short will be possible and any help would be much appreciated because we are going to be hearing these “Facts†endlessly in the coming months.
The “Myths†and the facts are listed below but the first short rebut I have stolen from E U Referendum
Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory, Conservative MP
“FOC Myth†National Parliaments have a direct say for the first time
“We heard again the tired argument about this new power for national Parliaments over subsidiarity”,
“That is not new; we can object already. It is certainly not a power, as we can object all we like, and the Commission can go on ignoring us. All that we get in this constitution is a new right to be ignored.â€
Myth One: Britain would lose control of Foreign Policy
The Facts
Common foreign policy isn’t new
It strengthens Britain’s influence in the world
We won’t be forced to follow an EU policy through ‘loyal cooperation’.
The new European Foreign Minister works for the Foreign Secretary and other Foreign Ministers.
The EU can’t take our seat at the UN
The European Commission already negotiates treaties for the UK
Myth Two: The Constitutional Treaty will create a European Army
The Facts
British armed forces will remain under British control
It adds another layer to our security
Britain keeps its veto over European defence
European Defence does not undermine NATO
The European Defence Agency is not building a European Army
Myth Three: ‘Primacy’ means that the EU controls our laws
The Facts
EU law protects British business and consumers.
Primacy simply means everybody sticking to the rules that we agree at European level.
Primacy of European Law is not new.
No international organisation could function if domestic law undermined treaties
The European Court of Justice defends those rules.
Myth Four: The Charter of Fundamental Rights will be used to change Britain’s labour laws
The Facts
The Charter makes clear that EU institutions must respect people’s rights
.. but for Member States, the Charter will apply only when they are implementing Union law, and cannot extend EU powers.
The Charter creates no new rights.
It will not create a right to strike in the UK.
Nor will the Charter prevent women-only swimming sessions, outlaw Sunday School
Myth Five: The Constitutional Treaty creates a European superstate
THE FACTS
The EU is an international organisation
The limits of EU authority are set out clearly for the first time
Nation states set the agenda
National Parliaments have a direct say for the first time
The Queen will remain the Head of State
We keep national vetoes over key areas
