The European Treaty

A major story which will continue to dominate British politics in coming weeks is the proposed Reform Treaty. After the so-called 'Constitution' was rejected in referenda held in France and the Netherlands, a new treaty was proposed that would amend the existing treaties - and provide the institutional reform needed for an enlarged Union.

The debate in the UK has centered upon how far this proposed treaty corresponds to the failed “Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe” (the Constitutional Treaty). This week the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee brought out a report which concludes

"As far as the substance of the Reform Treaty and its comparison with the Constitutional Treaty are concerned, we accept that references to the “constitutional concept” or “constitutional characteristics” in trying to distance the present proposals from the creation of a Constitution are less than helpful. What matters is whether the new Treaty produces an effect which is substantially equivalent to the Constitutional Treaty. We consider that, for those countries which have not requested derogations or opt outs from the full range of agreements in the Treaty, it does, and refer readers to the table in the Annex to this report."

The report can be found at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmeuleg/1014/1014.pdf

As you would imagine this has stimulated a lively debate. The eurosceptic press have stressed the 'substantially equivalent' point, and ignoring the qualification "for those countries which have not requested derogations or opt outs from the full range of agreements in the Treaty" - of course the UK has sought and gained such derogations and opt-outs.

The Government's position can be found at http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1139992024177

The current draft text of the treaty can be viewed at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/cg00001re01en.pdf

Anti-Americanism

If you want to understand mainstream British attitudes towards the USA - you will find last night's short debate in the House of Lords both informative and interesting. Speakers from all groups in the Lords spoke - Labour, Conservative, Liberal-Democrat and the Cross benches. The debate was initiated by Lord Saatchi and contributions were well thought out and based on a wide historical perspective. I recommend both reading the debate http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/71009-0012.htm#07100962000003

and watching it on http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Player/index.aspx?Encoding=7388 (at 05:17 into the clip)

The consensus was that the USA has played an important and positive role in the world - but this has been overshadowed by the acts and words of the current administration. Anti-americanism has always existed, and always will do so - but we should not join the haters of America - rather we should encourage and support its fundamental values.

Committees

Some of the most important work done by Parliament and Congress is only indirectly, if at all, linked to passing legislation. Debates in the chambers can be just as influential in their impact on public opinion and the feeling of the respective House.

Committees can also be very influential. While many play a part in the legislative process, others do not. In the Commons the select committees are involved purely in oversight of their respective Department. Henry Waxman, Chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the House of Representatives has said, "Simply by holding hearings, asking questions and releasing information, Congress can influence the direction of the nation even without passing legislation."

An important fact for all committee members; MPs; Peers; Congressmen; Senators and all observers of legislatures to remember.

Anti-Americanism

In the dinner break tomorrow (around 7.30pm - for an hour) Lord Saatchi will pose a question for short debate. He will "ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of anti-Americanism in the world."




It should be an interesting debate, and I hope to attend. I will report back on Washminster.

By the way this is the 200th post on Washminster.

No Election

It's official. Gordon Brown has no intention of calling a General Election for November 2007, or for the next few months. A reminder - no election is required until June 2010. The fever at Westminster - and amongst the media - can subside.

I shall not therefore be posting articles on the UK election process, for the time being. Instead the 'Westminster' side of this blog will concentrate on practice and procedure in the Commons and Lords - and in the next few weeks on how a session comes to its conclusion. The big date is November 6th, when the Queen opens the new session of Parliament.

That date is also election day in the US - as previous posts have mentioned, much interest will focus on the Virginia Elections. This Tuesday is the last day to register to vote. Candidate lists can be found at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Election_Information/Cidate_Lists_Ballot_Issues/Index_new.html