Deep Red

“Britain would not accept a treaty that allowed the charter of fundamental rights to change UK law in any way”. Most important because of the can of worms it will open up in British law and workplaces. It is the toughest to meet because of the determination of almost every other EU nation to make the charter legally binding, (David Charter writes). Mr Blair is demanding a clear and guaranteed opt-out that names Britain as being exempt from expansionist rulings from the European Court of Justice. This is to protect Britain from parts of charter that will give enhanced rights to strike and trade union recognition, and threaten challenges at the ECJ to Britain’s social laws covering areas such as abortion.

Shocking Pink

“Britain will not agree to give up our ability to control our common law and judicial and police system” Losing on this red line would certainly lead to demands for a referendum on the grounds of a loss of sovereignty. Although it seems certain that 51 extra areas of decision-making will be moved from unanimity to qualified-majority voting, meaning they cannot be vetoed, it looks as though Britain will be offered opt-outs, just as it was when EU policymaking on immigration and asylum matters was moved to QMV.

Pale Red

“Britain would not agree to something that displaces the role of British foreign policy and our foreign minister” Britain has raised last-minute objections to the powers of the proposed EU foreign minister, surprising other nations who thought it was a done deal. But Gordon Brown stepped in to insist on this because he fears that it will be seen as a transfer of sovereignty to the EU, triggering a referendum. Britain may win some reassurances but unlikely to get a dramatic change -more of a negotiating ploy to discard for other gains.

Red Herring

“Britain will not agree to anything that moves to qualified majority voting something that can have a big say in our own tax and benefits system” There are no proposals to give the EU a big say over national tax systems. In fact, the constitution refers to tax remaining a matter for unanimous decision-making. Nor is there a proposal for harmonising EU welfare systems, which was discussed at the time of the constitution but dropped.

Overlooked Red Line?

The Single Legal Personality for the EU, which will give the EU treaty signing powers, arguably a shift of power to Brussels, is another change that Mr Blair has not set as a red line but which critics say involve a significant transfer of power

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