Andrew Duff comments on Dutch Government response to reform treaty

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Sep 2007

"The Dutch government is absolutely right to choose the parliamentary route to ratification of the Reform Treaty. Parliament is the best place for an informed debate and a judicious decision on a long and highly complex treaty which has great relevance for the future governance of the European Union but no direct impact on the Dutch national constitution.

"I hope that Dutch political parties have the wit and courage to shoulder their clear constitutional duty to ratify EU treaties and not to shirk this responsibility in the face of populist and nationalistic sirens. The European Parliament and national parliaments must combine in a joint analysis of the Reform Treaty which spells out its strengths and weaknesses. Political parties, the media and public opinion need the benefit of strong democratic leadership if the historic effort to build a united Europe is not to be further jeopardised.

"Representative democracy was invented in the Netherlands and exported to England. The UK should once again follow the wise advice of the Netherlands."