EU constitution good for British business

1.10.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 7th May 2004

Speaking at a Business Breakfast in Norwich today Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff outlined the benefits that would flow for British business from the new Constitution of the European Union.

He argued that the re-formulation of the objectives of the EU achieved by the drafting Convention (in which he played a prominent part) took into account the need for a more competitive environment for business and for less and better regulation.

Enlargement was a driving force behind the constitutional debate in Europe, and he hoped that UK business would catch up with the pace of European integration and move quickly to invest in Central and Eastern Europe.

Andrew Duff, who was speaking at the John Innes Centre in Norwich to a conference organised by Norfolk's Shaping the Future partnership, spelled out the advantages for business obtained in the Constitution:

• strengthening the Commission's effectiveness in enforcing compliance with EU law;

• creating a new class of secondary legislation delegated to the Commission under the watchful scrutiny (and possible call-back) of the European Parliament and Council whereby industry will have greater influence over Commission decisions;

• encouraging better consultation at the pre-legislative stages as well as stricter financial and regulatory assessments by the EU institutions themselves;

• improving direct access to the European Court of Justice for individual citizens (and companies) when they are adversely affected by a regulation that is not directly aimed at them;

• installing the Charter of Fundamental Rights, with mandatory effect, within the constitution.

Duff added:

"The Charter sends the CBI and the Tory Party into apoplexy because they fear the dismantling of Thatcherite legislation on trade unions. This is ridiculous. The Charter is binding only on EU institutions and member states when and in so far as they implement EU law and policy - therefore only under EU competence. The right to strike is recognised in the Charter in accordance with national laws and practices. In industrial relations, the EU can only support and complement national policy.

He concluded:

"British business should welcome the streamlining, rationalisation and clarification that the Constitution brings forward. It is vital for the future of Europe that this important constitutional step takes place".