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From The Times

June 21, 2007

Blair prepared to walk away from deal at EU summit

Philip Webster, Political Editor and David Charter in Brussels

Tony Blair will walk away from a deal at the European summit unless he can win guarantees that European courts will not have new rights to interfere in British law and that the proposed treaty will be an amending one only.

The Prime Minister will go to Brussels today asking his fellow leaders to write specifically into the treaty that the Charter of Fundamental Rights can not alter British law.

Mr Blair told The Times last night that on the key issue of the charter there had to be something that was “British specific” written in.

The charter is expected to become legally binding if a deal is agreed tomorrow night, but Mr Blair said that he would need words written in that made plain that the “charter could not alter British law and was not justiciable in the British courts”. He is also seeking to make clear that the charter should be directed at European institutions such as the European Court of Justice and the European Commission rather than member states.

He told The Times that it was “touch and go” whether there would be a deal because of uncertainty over whether his demands would be met and over the Polish desire to reopen the whole question of voting rights. British sources said that the “Polish problem” could still derail the whole thing.

Mr Blair said that he had talked every day to Gordon Brown about the summit “and I will not leave him in a position where he inherits something that he is unhappy with”. The Prime Minister was prepared to walk away if necessary. He said, however, that if he achieved his demands he could not see what transfer of competences there would be and there would be no need for a referendum. “People will call for a referendum whatever we agree to,” he said. “But if we get those points, I do not know what transfers there will be.”

On the charter, he hoped that the other states would accept that “we have got a specific problem. We need to have it belt and braces bolted down that it will not change British law.” Mr Blair said that he was in a position of saying to the others: “This is what I need if you want me to agree.”

He added: “There is one political reality. I have to be able to say this is a conventional amending treaty. If I cannot say that, we would have to have a referendum and we might as well give the whole thing up anyway.” Mr Blair has told friends that for him, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, President Sarkozy of France and Mr Brown, settling the treaty now would be preferable so that Europe could get on with the things that mattered. He regards Ms Merkel and Mr Sarkozy, in their pro-Atlanticism and pro-Brit-ish stances, as a welcome contrast to their predecessors and believes that it is in Britain’s interests not to upset them early in their terms of office.

Mr Blair set out his position as Britain’s tough negotiating stance came under renewed attack from European leaders in favour of retaining as much as possible of the failed EU Constitution.

Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Spanish Foreign Minister, said he was sure that the 27 member states could reach agreement on a new treaty but that he was “very worried” about British opposition to an EU-wide foreign policy.

Mr Blair has insisted that he “will not agree to something that displaces the roles of British foreign policy and our Foreign Minister”.

Mr Moratinos, adding to concerns about Britain expressed by José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, told the Spanish Senate: “It is very worrying. They want to empty the content of foreign policy and common security [policy] at a time when Europe must be better armed to respond to the challenges of the 21st century.”

European anger has been increasingly directed at Britain and Poland, which have the deepest concerns about the shape of the new “Reform Treaty” being drafted by the German presidency of the EU. The summit, which starts today, is expected to run into the small hours of Saturday morning and to set out a framework for detailed treaty talks during the autumn.

Cher Pascal-Pierre, if I'm not mistaken it was your people who chose to "opt out" of the EU when they were given the chance to do so, by rejecting the European constitution. So why blame the Brits for doing what the French have already don?
Also, you mention bargaining. Isn't this exactly what the French always do when the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) is on the table? You don't seem to mind to have your agriculture financed by Great Britain; who would finance it if the Brits would leave the EU, since you don't seem so keen to do it yourself?
Finally, calling Britain "the lame duck of the EU" is rather ironic given that the British economy has overtaken the French economy a long time ago. But then again, you might simply be jealous.
Or French.

Alex, Frankfurt, Germany

Dear Joseph Kellie of Edinburgh, Scotland:

I totally agree that the people should have their say. But I do disagree with your estimate of who is for and who is against. 75% are for the constitution. Only in perhaps 2 out of 27 countries there is a majority against it.

Also the 99% figure is incorrect. The American Heritage Foundation (the main think-tank behind the Bush administratrion) is strongly opposed to the idea because they believe it would reduce US influence in EU matters. And they have cited a number of parties in European countries who they believe should get US support because of their anti-constitutional positions, namely the extreme right wing parties in many eastern countries as well as the FN in France.

Paul Friedrich, Cuenca, Spain / Castilla-La Mancha

I understand the British fear about a to deep European integration. On the other side, I ask myself why Britain did integrate the EU. This adhesion seems to create a big problem for the British governement, and we feel, here in Brussels, that the British would maybe be happier to leave the European Union then to stay in it.
But as I said, further and further integration is something that raises questions, and the implications of it should not be underestimated.
On the other hand, I definitively do NOT understand the Polish requirements: Poland does agree with the end of unanimity, but wants its inhabitants to have more votes than inhabitants of other countries. This is unlegitimate.
And it could lead to diminish EU solidarity toward the new member states in the next budget.

gregory, Brussels, Belgium, EU

We want more europe now!!!
I'm spanish, married to a german, work in France and live in Germany ( house to work just 5 km apart). In continental Europe there are millions like me, because the are not frontiers, people is moving and in the next years more and more will be moving and mixing with each other. Every year I have many many bureaucratic problems because of the lack of a real union, it make you feel Europe doesn't exist. Its completely ridiculous!
U.K., Poland, dont be so egoist, your nationalism has no sense anymore what is good for Europe is good for you!
U.K is always slowing down the process of union. U,K is and Island, and always will be, why dont you get out of the union? Maybe its better for you to become a kind of Puerto Rico of the EU.......

Gabriel, Europe

Gabriel Morilla, Kehl, Europe

We are sending the wrong representitve, it should be Terry Wogan. He know from his Eurovision song contest experience that the UK will never win the debate!

The spirit of correctness and fair play goes out the window, as soon as you cross the border. The old groups of countries have a different agenda, they don't belive in the common good they want all the benifits, and a soon a possible.

Their policy is use the rules to build their own Empires at anyone elses expense. Our own ministers even get sucked in to the scheme and sell our fishing rights away, in the longer term to make a name for themselves at the original negioations. Our memories are too short, Ministers are selling us short and we forget in the long term.

Expresions like "Fishing exclusion zones for the UK?", "Care in the Community" should be engraved on ther grave stones.

Not " Sorry, sold of all your rights and made a name for myself"

Mike w, Wolverhampton,

In reply to Pierre, Caen, France
In Holland, just the same as in France our glorious leaders are trying to ignore democracy in the best EU tradition...
If you vote for us, then ok. If you vote against, then we will do everything to ignore your vote. Of course as normal EU citizens we are too stupid to comprehend the issues...

Jon Kingdon, Lelystad, The Netherlands

It is "pacta sunt servanda".

Louis, Munich, Germany

I do not believe a word Blair says, day 1 posturing, day 2 behind closed doors to negotiate the sellout. The man is a traitor.

roger jones, kettering, england

I think that if GB doesn't want Europe can go out like every member states that has same thought...Poland, for example.
We want Europe against Usa and to carry out common policies that until now have garantee peace in Europe.
We want Europe because we are citizens of the same country.
We belive that Europe is the only solution for the globalisation challenges.
We want to foster our idea of Great Europe.

Fadia, Perugia, Italy

Tom,

The US (not Bush) has power within EU because it offered Blair something invaluable : putting IRA on the list of terrorists organisations and, more importantly, stopping it's american funding.
Regarding the Poles, historically they don't have many reasons to trust the French or the British. That makes them very good customers for the Americans.
Blair cannot recant his commitment, nor make people forget it, so better "prove a villain". Old story...

Ronnie, Paris, FRANCE

Tom Atkins....your Bush paranoia is not really relevant in this debate. Poland's objections are based on strictly local issues. At the moment, Poland and Germany have very similar voting weights in the EU. The new treaty would lead to a massive disparity in voting weights. Though I too think that they are being a bit unreasonable about all of this, given the last 100 years of Polish history, can you blame them?

They have constantly been dominated by either Germany or Russia and are just keen to defend their new-found independence. Unlike us in the UK, they still have some idea of how precious a thing freedom and national sovereignty is.

Sam, London,

Gentlemen, you want UK to leave EU just because it is sceptical about renegotiating treaties it has signed with the EU??? UK has a right to be in the Union, and if the Union wants to change the Traty it has to convince UK. Pacta sunt servanta. If you want UK out of EU, you can renounce the Treaty and pay the compensation. UK does not have to do anything and can use it's right of veto, same as all the parties of the treaty.

Czachol, Krakow, Poland

what amazes me is the hubris of the politicians; they say, like Baroso, that Europeans want this treaty. How do they know? How many of those countries that voted for the demised Constitution allowed their citizens to vote for or against? Most, of course, ratified it in their parliaments, approval being too important a concept to be left to the mere citizenry.
Why should there be a centralization of foreign policy? Why should there a universally applied social chapter? We all know what chaos secondary picketing caused throughout the miners strike, do we really want to see that sort of reality return to the UK, as it could, if this reform treaty goes through.
De Gaulle's phrase for the European Union was for a "Europe des patries", a Europe of sovereign nations, each with their delightful differences. Would that that great man were here today, he would have given short shrift to these politicos who prate and posture, not for the lot of the common man, but for their self-aggrandizement

david westgate, Paris, France

When reading these comments, I really wonder why UK is a part of EU ! I totally agree with Pascal-Pierre when he says UK should get out EU. Why doesn't Tony Blair ask for it during this summit ? I'm quite sure his popularity will increase, and not a bit.
I worry quite a lot regarding Gordon Brown who, according to the French medias, looks extremely anti-European, so anti-European that Blair could be seen as a new R. Schuman...
I'm dreaming of a Federal Republic of Europe, with or wothout the UK, and I'm afraid not to know it before I die, and I'm only 21.

Pierre Agostini, Orléans/France, European Union

To Pascal-Pierre: you're absolutely right. England should leave the EU because the current pretence situation is embarrassing. Those of us who believe in the EU have already voted with our feet and moved and I know quite a few people in the same situation.

Alastair, Gent, Belgium ex UK

No question, we all share certain concerns about the future. But some EU members seem to lack the slightest trust in things can be achieved. Some responsibles even seem to refuse to take steps beyond 1945, which is really a sad thing for us all. The Polish fears are comprehensible but also arbitrary. The rationale concerning WW II is not only ridiculous, it is simply offending.

Britain sticks to the pursuit of an ancient policy: Keeping away from the continent, at almost any price. This strategy, of course, will not work out for the 21st century. Britain sadly keeps saying "NO" when Europe ist inviting it to sign a constitution, but consequently says "YES" when the USA are inviting to go to war.

Britain should define for itself, "when", "why", and "how" to finally arrive in Europe. Is that so unacceptable? Is it too much to ask?

I am still convinced (that against all fears) we all should do our best to grow together as neighbors and friends - for the sake of our future and values.

RPM, Frankfurt, Germany, EU

tom 'ol boy -if it wasn' for the good 'ol US of A you lot would be Russian or French.....
Do you know where Poland is ?
and it's proud and courages History?
It is fighting for what it believs to be right in it's interest-like we are doing- Poland has a great future at the heart of europe and a great contribution to make at the very heart of the EU
Some (many countries) don't need to fight to gain more as they have inherited so much by EU charity donations from countries like Uk -Holand- who pay in far more than they get out-

mike, oxford, england

I think Britain should kick herself out of the EU...before others do it. It has now become obvious that Brtian is the lame duck of the EU,( and it has always been...) refusing everthing and asking for even more opt outs....;What the Hell are you doing in the EU????? Your membership is only based on opt outs.....since the Maastricht Treaty, you have been a NON member, piling up ouptouts and bargaining any inch of your so precious "sovereignity".....

The best deal...would be no deal at all......paving the way for a true multi speed EU. Something we Europeans should have done a long time ago.....I rely on Luxemburg and Spain to veto any treaty which would curtail the existing Constitution. We would be better off if you were out....

pascal-Pierre, Dinan / france, European Union.

To the "do as we say or go" Eurofederalist merchants.

1. Yes please, but not quietly.

2. Price to go - shall we say at least 50% of the £60Billion net contributions made by (or rather stolen from) UK taypayers. This is £100 Billion at today's prices and should be paid back to us over say 10 years. Otherwise UK should use every possible mechanism to obstruct and further destabilise your entire rotten organisation.

Mark, Edinburgh, Scotland

This should never have been put to referendum in the first place. It is and always has been an amending treaty just like all the other treaties.

Arguably the biggest shift in competence to supranational judges was with the Single European Act which wasn't voted on - so why does this need to be voted on? When it comes down to it, the EU decides things like the size of dentist's drills (so we can sell them to each other). I'd trust a Polish or Italian legislator to make that decision for me just as much as a British one thank you very much.

As for the Charter, Tony Blair is being disingenuous as it only applies to EU law.

In any event anti-Europeans are cutting off their nose with this one because if anything serves to delineate national and European-wide competences once and for all, precluding competence-creep decisions by the ECJ, it is this treaty. As the French demonstrated, it is pro-Europeans who should vote against this one!

Ben Croft, York,

Don't blame European institutions and culture for being opposed to so-called British values. No one forced Britain to join back 30 years ago or so (when the funding principles and roadmap had already been made very clear) and the only way it has found to repay the EEC/UE is to undermine it every step of the way and play for the other team when it served its interests. I've lived in England long enough to appreciate that some of the UE's most daring projects are incompatible with the British mindset, and if I were a Brit myself I probably wouldn't be any less suspicious of Europe as most readers on this website. But as it is, I feel sorry when I see Europe's most ambitious attempts being hindered by one countries's nation-centred, short-view approach to world politics and history. I am not competent to say whether Britain's best interest lies within or outside Europe (understood as more than a mere marketplace) but I think it is high time it really embraced one option or the other.

Frank, Oxford,

The guy from Spain complaining about Britain not towing the EU line - hilarious. Witness the Spanish governments refusal to allow takeover of the utility Endesa by the German company EOn ('regulatory barriers', love the lingo), then a few months later Spanish utility Iberdrola buy Scottish Power without a hitch.

Because we (Britain) practice free market ideology, as championed by the EU, and other EU countries (Spain, France especially) pretend to practise free market ideology but actually keep national champions like the old days.

This is the EU's problem - totally uneven and unmanageable, no-one aware of the facts.

DM, Glasow,

Most of the people of europe don't understand the treaty because they didn't bother reading it...
I don't understand why the UK always block the summits.
Why did they join the UE then?

Romain, Brighton, UK

Sometimes I ask myself who has created the UE when I hear or read some Eastern countries want this, disapprove and veto that. This is shocking a country like Poland, receiving financial helps from Western countries had put its veto on the import of Russian gas in France because of its personal problem with Russia. Poland should be a bit more thankful and respectful to the Western countries that have contributed A LOT to its economy and welcome its people in our country, giving them jobs, benefits, making big effort to integrate them... All we’ll get in return is a VETO. Unbelievable. What an ingratitude !

B.T, Caversham, Berkshire

Why is it that we are to be careful about upsetting the German Chancellor and the French President? The two countries that have deliberately targetted the British government and people for every slight stand we take, for whatever political or economic purpose if it in any way differs from their respective positions.
It is about time our elected representatives stopped bending over and actually took a position with their backs against the wall and a 'take me on if you can' attitude. We British have been ignored and slighted too often, be careful how much further you ignore us.

Bill Blewitt, Cramlington, UK

"Where are the French and Dutch people at this time? "

What can we do about this ? If I were in charge of France I would leave the EU immediately.

Pierre, Caen, France

Tony Blair is absolutely right on this one.British law should never be subjected to the veto of Spain or other EU countries.I have lived in Spain and witnessed the wholesale corruption of its property and planning laws by elected government officials,the legal profession and real estate agents and it is sordid.From Marbella to the Canary Islands,thousands of property owners have been devastated by a rancid and endemic corrupt system which everyone knows has been rampant for decades. The elected officials and legal authorities,shout,gesticulate,postulate and do nothing. We need these people to teach one of the World´s oldest democracies how to administrate ultimate justice? I do not think it would be just wrong,it would be culturally immoral.

Keith R. Pirelli, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

We didn't save the Poles before the last war, hopefully they can save us now!

Peter Burian, LONDON, UK

I do agree with GS. We cannot really talk about integration. UK for ex. there are so many new communities since 2004. Even today EEU who are arriving in UK must be thinking it is not necessary to speak english because they're gonna live in their communities anyway.
It would be idealistic to believe we can live together like a big family.

B.T, Caversham, Berkshire

I think Michael from Munich is right. The EU is more than only a mere trading bloc. If one of its members is no longer willing to go along wit the others , the others should be allowed to go their way . What we are having right now is Britain and in some extent Poland, hindering the others , preventing them from being more than just a market.
So far British views have always received more than just a lukewarm welcome.....modifying treaties so as to suit Britich interest FIRST! I think time has come the "bloc" showed the others what they really want. 18 of us have already agreed to the Constitution.....and we do as if their say was unimportant. Britain has to compromise, NOT the 18 others....Please be consistent. If the EU does not correspond to your vision of the EU, leave it.

pascal-Pierre, Dinan / france, European Union.

My position is clear. There should be a two speed EU from now on. One, with the countries which adopted the Euro and that want more real Europe acting in the world as an unique voice, TOGETHER.

On the other side there might be room for all the others who denied this real desire of entire and real unity from the majority of EU membersand EU citizens. Please, no more attention to those whose even do not recognize themselves as europeans. It is a fact.

Lets them fly alone. Why not?. It is the best solution.

I would not mind at all having the U.K. and Poland away of this way of EU complete integration.

It is indeed just a matter of time that, somehow, this will happen.

We will see!.

Víctor Sáenz, Málaga, Spain

I have some sympathy for the British position on the application of EU law in Britain, because it concerns the critical question of subsidiarity. I have less sympathy for the UK opposition to a EU “Foreign Minister” as it de facto only complements national foreign policy and includes an elaborate consultation process. I have no sympathy for the Polish position on the “double majority” voting formula, which is needed to render the EU manageable again under enlarged membership. As is the intention of the new voting arrangements, it must not be accepted that a single country—in addition one that receives large income transfers from the EU—holds the whole management process of the Union hostage for narrow nationalistic objectives. I have absolutely no sympathy for the position of Dutch Premier Balkenende on the EU flag and hymn. His narrow mindedness ridicules the whole Dutch nation and makes a mockery of the grandiose work of the many visionary politicians, including some outstanding Dutc

Klaus-Walter Riechel, Freiburg i.Br., Germany

Lots of Poles think our government should fight for voting rights today, so it is all about electorate, not about Bush! To my mind derailng the summit will be a Polish mistake, but it will be a Polish decision, so please do not contest our sovereignty.

roma, Kołobrzeg, Poland

I personally think EU will not work in the long term,
for the simple reason that there are 27 countries
with different cultures, languages and policies,
for this union to be harmonious. As a result there
will be clashes and conflict of interests and what-nots,
creating bureacratic nightmares.
Britain will do well to get out of EU.

gs, London, UK

With all respect. i can't hardly stand it anymore to hear all those last minute concerns by the britisch PM. Blair is complaining now about a treaty which the british government helped to create?!

England has to make a historic decision now: EU is more than just a big economic market. It is about a certain vision of a european unity. If you share this vision, you're truly welcome! If not. ok. No problem, but than you have to be consistent and leave the club! Maybe the USA are in need of a 51th State.

Matthias Tenenbaum, Berlin, Germany

Blair will fold. He always does. At the Budget summit in 2005 he ended up giving the EU an annual net £6 billion of British Taxpayers money.

Mike Smith, Birmingham, UK

Good point. Why should people from Faro let politicians from Lisbon make decisions effcting also Faro just because Lisbon has more residents?

Louis, Munich, Germany

So the Charter of Fundamental Rights is not necessary for public in Blair's view.
Somehow I disagree. I would've certainly slept better knowing that a few human rights more are going to be covered by the law to an extent they'll have in the rest of Europe. Alternative, of course, is to have a £300 per hour solicitor on a call, if you can afford.

Tomas, London, UK

Yeh Yeh......and then at the last minute we get this really good deal for Britain.Haven't we done well......again!

R. James, Clifton,

Why someone in Canada turns the EU into his rant against Bush shows why Britain should leave. It is simply a grouping opposed to Anglo-Saxon values and in opposition to our history, our democratic tradition, and any sense of bottom-up democratic accountability. It has introduced into British life centralisation and the implementation of Edicts from Brussels without debate or ability to reject.

This country has been rendered a plaything like some colony subjected to rule by unelected administrators.

TomTom, Leeds, England

The Polands demands are truely fair. It is all about democracy in new Europe. Why should I let Germans to make decisions that have influance on my country only becouse it is most populous country in Europe (exept Russia)

Adriano, Porto, Portugal

Blair may make all these claims about "red lines", but he has already demonstrated that such claims are mere spin.

Consider the EU budget where he surrendered half our rebate, without getting anything in return. French farmers toasted Tony, while British taxpayers cursed him.

Blair's negotiation tactic is to go into the discussions armed with a white flag, and with the intention of using his weapon.

Cynosarges, London, UK

If Europe must be better armed, let European nations arm - what has that to do with common policy?

Is it not understandable that Poland feels more comfortable with the US than in the company of euro-lefties whose opposition to their great oppressors, the Soviet Union, was lukewarm at best?

Why are the Euro-enthusiasts worried by Britain and Poland? These countries are important members of the group and have a view of Europe too. Why is only one view of Europe acceptable at euro meetings? Why are views different from those of Mr Barroso a concern? Who is he to have views of his own anyway? He is a servant of the national governments and should show a little more respect for those governments which have been elected by popular vote - unlike himself and his commission.

MDHinton, Sieradz, Poland

My personal view is that we are being taken for a ride by Blair, he will agree to whatever is needed to sign this new constitution (which was rejected) and his posturing is just that. Even if he agrees a veto in a couple of years we will renounce the veto.

Let the people of Europe have a vote and say on this.

75% of the people do not want the treaty/constitution but 99% of the political class do. Does that mean they know something we dont or are they just out of touch?

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

So Blair believes that the British people would reject changes which affect British law.
New Labour has been able to "persuade" the British people / parliament to allow them to engage in an illegal war and to take away fundamental rights of citizenship fought for over centuries.
Why should pushing through a little thing like a common foreign policy be beyond their powers of invention? Usually they call on some exaggerated threat - terrosts, WMD, etc. Maybe it could go something like,"Well, actually, we need to be united to stand up to the US. We have reliable intelligence that they are planning new cold war installations ( i.e nuclear targets ) in various European countries."
The British people have demonstrated time and again that we will roll over and allow the government to do whatever they like.
(OK,Rup??)

Bob, Wimbledon, UK

Poland just takes care for its buissnes. I wouldn't call it "Polish problem" or domination by US.

Krzysztof , Nowy Sacz, Poland

Polish position during this EU summit is basically about voting system in the Council. The system proposed by the Polish government ("square root") is well justified by the outstanding scientists from all over the world - even if slightly difficult to understand by those who may lack some basic knowledge in maths - and allows smaller countries to have a real say in the European matters. It is difficult for me to understand how people from relatively old democracies (like Canada for that matter) can undermine this endeavour.

Eva, London, UK

Poland should be applauded for their hesitancy in signing up to this 'new amended treaty'
Where are the French and Dutch people at this time?
Do they not realise that Blair is about to sign up to a constitution now 'disguised' as a treaty?
Most of Britain are now watching closely for Blair's treachery to come into play.
I hope that unelected PM Brown is being equally observant and that he has the balls to stop this proposed treason?

Ken, Hornchurch, Essex

My personal view is that Poland should be kicked out of the EU, because it is dominated by the United States and carries out Bush's wishes. Why Bush has any powers winthin the EU beats me, Bush gets involved into all European political outcomes, because he dominates the course that EU should take on all matters.
Isn't this new appointment that Bush has talked to Blair about becoming the envoy to the Middle East, someone must tell Balir to go and leave British politics to the new man and not to interfere, even as envoy to the Middle east, that would be a insult to PM Brown and to the British nation.

tom atkins, chilliwack, Canada