A questiuon for British DUer's about the EU constitution

[T_i_B]

Since Blair is apparently performing a U-turn on this one I would like to ask UK DUer's this question.

How would you vote in a referendum on the proposed EU Constitution?

Yay or Nay? Here's the story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3637993.stm

The government is set to announce plans for a referendum on the European Union constitution, the BBC has learned.

The announcement is expected this week, possibly after Thursday's cabinet meeting.

If a referendum is called it will mark a major U-turn in policy given Tony Blair has previously rejected holding a referendum on the treaty

The constitution will replace earlier European Union treaties and is designed to streamline decision making. Critics argue it will strengthen EU powers.

[rjbcar27]

1. Not sure yet.

The constitution hasn't been finalised yet. But probably yes.

[Dead_Parrot]

2. Also undecided...

...I'm holding off until I've read it! Which I'm not even going to attempt until they've decided on the final version...

[tommilator]

3. Nej - No - Njet

The US of E is not getting my vote. Even if I'd like to ship the politicians down to Brussels I think they better be kept within an arms reach. Each time we sign off more sovereignty to the eurocrats we place the decision making further from ourselves. So thanks but no thanks. To me it's fundamental and the final outcome of the constitution have little to no influence.

[Guy_Montag]

4. Not sure how I will vote yet - will wait for the final doc.

When I voted in the Scottish devolution referendum there were no details available about what I was voting for.

I consider myself fairly politically switched on, but I had no idea what areas the Scottish parliment would have powers over since none of the documents had been written. We were given the chance to give it tax raising powers - except in some (mostly conservative?) areas, where people had to specifcally ask for that paper.

But don't get me started on strange things that happen around election time in the UK.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Probably yes

unless someone makes a reasoned case why it would be bad. I think a consolidation of the EU powers would be a Good Thing.

[T_i_B]

6. The draft EU constitution.

For those of you like myself who are currently undecided. Personally I can support an EU constitution in theory, but in pratice? That's a whole different kettle of piranha's and depends to a large degree on what is in the proposed constitution.

http://europa.eu.int/futurum/constitution/index_en.htm

Be warned though, it's VERY long.

[T_i_B]

7. Kick

:kick:

[Guy_Montag]

8. Has anyone read it?

I'm trying but apathy keeps taking over. :dunce:

[T_i_B]

9. And there lies a problem

How on earth are they going to persuade people to even read the thing if it's that big? I can't even imagine the document fitting through most people's letter boxes!

Just one of the reasons why I can't see Britain voting yes.

[LibLabUK]

12. The immense size of the proposed constitution...

is the reason I can't believe that Blair's calling a referendum on this issue.

This is the EXACT reason we have a representative democracy, the voters cannot be expected to make an informed decision on policy such as this because they cannot be expected to have an informed opinion.


The referendum will play out exactly as the tabloids decide.... which is a sad sad thing.

This is the reason that we won't have a referendum on the Euro until The Sun and The Mirror support it. People will believe the horror stories printed in the Red-Top rags and scupper any chance of informed debate and decision.

The people baying for referenda are playing directly into Murdoch et als hands.

I would probably vote yes on the constitution, but having not read it yet I can't say for sure. I can tell you that I'm appalled at Ireland, Spain, Poland and Malta for demanding references to Christianity in the Preamble.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Not the whole thing

And it is pretty big, so we are at the mercy of politicians picking out the 'important' bits for us.

[T_i_B]

15. And the media picking bits out too.

Seriously though, the fact that it is so big and so incomprehensible is a big minus point for me. A good constitution IMHO is a simple one. Something like US one really (which I shall post below).

In The Rights of Man Thomas Paine was at pains to point out the importance of having a pocket sized constitution and bill of rights as it allows people to use it with the greatest of ease. I think that Thomas Paine had a very good point personally.

http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Constitution.html

[Vladimir]

11. Torn between the sides

one the one hand, the EU is massively undemocratic and serves big-business interests. On the other hand, pulling out aligns Britain even closer to the US and gives succour to the ultra-right. I am instinctively tempted to vote yes (well if I had a vote that is), but its not a question I feel very good about either way.

V

[Guy_Montag]

13. Parts of the EU are incredably corrupt too

The auditors refuse to accept the last nine years accounts.

[Vladimir]

14. Yah I know

I am less worried about that at the moment, because the EU budget is only like 1.2% of the European GDP or something, but it will become an issue later you are right.

V