Letter to Editor's On Constitution

Written by Andrew Duff MEP and published in Various Weekly Newspapers across the East of England on Thu 1st Jul 2004

LETTER TO EDITOR

20 June 2004

For publication

Dear Sir,

The agreement on the new constitution is a good thing for Britain and Europe. It modernises the newly enlarged European Union, making it able to cope with the challenges which lie ahead. Having been much involved in negotiating the new constitution, I strongly believe that Britain's interest lies in being a mainstream player inside a reformed EU that can stand on its own two feet in world affairs.

Never before have we had such a clear statement of where power lies and who exercises it. The EU's complex decision making processes are streamlined and the system is opened up to public and parliamentary scrutiny. The citizen will be protected from any abuse of the powers vested in the EU institutions by the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Now we've got the system right, MEPs and ministers can concentrate on getting the policy right. In the next few years, Britain faces big decisions on climate change, on economic and monetary policy, over agricultural and fisheries policy, and in the security and defence field. These are decisions which it is almost meaningless for us to take in isolation from our European partners. Together with Europe Britain will be stronger and better place to live.

I would be delighted to hear from readers who want to know more about why the constitution is good for Britain in Europe.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Duff

Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for the East of England

Orwell House

Cowley Road

Cambridge CB4 0PP