Andrew Duff outline's ten reasons why UK should support EU Constitution

10.00.00am GMT Mon 10th Jan 2005

Tomorrow, the European Parliament will debate the EU Constitution and decide whether to recommend its acceptance to the people of Europe. Lib Dem Euro-MP for Cambridgeshire Andrew Duff will speak in the debate and will recommend acceptance of the Constitution.

In tomorrow's debate in Strasbourg, Mr Duff will outline ten reasons why every citizen of the new enlarged EU should vote to accept the Constitution.

Mr Duff said 'There are ten key reasons why the UK should embrace the EU constitution as a way of modernising the EU and making it more democratic, more open and more accountable for the people of this Country. It is for this reason that as a first step towards the Constitution's ratification that I urge the European Parliament to vote in favour of it.'

ENDS

Note to Editor's

The Ten reasons why the UK should adopt the EU Constitution are:-

The Constitution makes the European Union more legitimate. It modernises its system of government and enhances its capacity to act effectively.

The Constitution clarifies what the purpose of the Union is and redefines its values, principles, objectives and powers. It makes the Union more efficient, streamlining and rationalising decisions.

The Constitution greatly reinforces European parliamentary democracy. The European Parliament becomes co-legislator with the Council in all normal circumstances. National parliaments get increased powers to scrutinise EU draft law.

The Constitution makes the EU budget more democratic. MEPs will exercise full budgetary control over all EU spending.

The Constitution makes the Commission more accountable to the Parliament.

The Constitution makes the Council more transparent. Debates and votes will have to be in public when laws are being passed.

The Constitution puts the citizen at the heart of the integration process. The Charter of Fundamental Rights becomes binding on the EU and on member states when implementing EU law and policy.

The Constitution will allow the Union to stand on its own feet in world affairs. The new EU Foreign Minister, heading a single diplomatic service, will guide the Council in foreign and security policy and speak for it on the global stage.

The Constitution boosts solidarity among member states in cases of natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

The Constitution allows one million citizens to initiate an EU policy proposal.