British back idea of an EU Constitution

5.43.37pm GMT Tue 14th Dec 2004

A new poll released last week (December 10) suggests that most British voters are, in principle, in favour of an EU constitution. Carried out as part of the EU's 'Eurobarometer' survey, the poll asked whether British citizens supported the idea of "a constitution for the European Union".

Contrary to the results of previous polls on the issue, where a majority of those questioned had voiced opposition to an EU constitution, the new poll suggests a 49% to 29% backing for the idea.

The pollsters stressed that the poll does not refer directly to the proposed EU Constitution, and so cannot be taken as an indicator of voting intention in the forthcoming referendum. However, the result is sure to raise eyebrows in both Yes and No camps.

Andrew Duff MEP, European Liberal Democrat spokesman on Constitutional Affairs said,

"This poll suggests that the British public is perfectly able to accept the idea of a written constitution for the EU.

"Now the battle has to begin to persuade them of the merits of this particular Constitution, which is, in fact, the only one on offer.

"Those who want Europe to punch its weight in world affairs and who want parliamentary democracy to work at the European level, will all vote Yes."

ENDS

Note to editors:

The same poll was conducted in May this year, with those 'for' a constitution for Europe at 42%, and those 'against' at 24%. Support across the whole EU stands at 68% 'for' and 17% 'against'. For more details:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb62/eb62first_en.pdf

The Treaty on a Constitution for Europe was signed in Rome in October by the 25 Member States of the EU. It must now be ratified by national parliaments, and in some cases by referendum. France is expected to hold its referendum in the spring of 2005, while the UK will most likely wait until 2006. So far, only Lithuania has completed ratification of the new treaty, which must be approved by the end of 2006.