Re: EU Constitution not compatible with democracy

[Leopoldo Salgui <lsalgui(at)demopunk.net>]

Dear friends,
I am seriously concerned on the approach to fight against the European
Constitution stated by the Democracy Movement

As you know, in Spain we have been actively against the European Constitution
due its severe democracy deficit. Even we have been the most active group
reporting the governmental propaganda
http://www.demopunk.net/en/intern/europe/info_20f_en.pdf

However, our political analysis against the treaty is clearly based on the
lack or defect of Political Freedoms.
http://www.demopunk.net/en/intern/europe/pcon_euro03_en.pdf
Our positions are based on the sick role of the European Parliament (the
unique elected institution), the ambiguous European electoral system, the
complete ban of referendum, the incredible constitutional amendment, the tiny
popular initiative (the ECI) and so on.

However, it is frequent to see arguments against the Treaty claiming for the
lack of democracy but actually claiming against the national disintegration.
We are used to see nationalists using the democracy ideals to promote merely
nationalism. Why the UK parliament is better than the European Parliament?,
Is there a worse electoral system than the UK electoral system?, Where are in
UK the Political Freedoms of Direct Democracy (I&R)?, What about an UK
constitution?

I have just visited the website of Democracy Movement,
http://www.democracymovement.org.uk
and definitively I could not find democracy contents. Likely, because from my
point of view to talk and claim for democracy is to talk and claim for
Political Freedoms.
http://www.demopunk.net/
http://otrademocraciaesposible.net

Regards, Leo


El Martes, 24 de Mayo de 2005 17:23, Stuart Coster escribió:
> DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT
> http://www.democracymovement.org.uk
>
> Media Release
> 24 May 2005
>
> Embargo: none
>
> EU CONSTITUTION NOT COMPATIBLE WITH DEMOCRACY;
> JACK STRAW VETO CONFUSION
>
> Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has today introduced the
> European Union Bill in the House of Commons. The Bill will
> give effect to the EU Constitution, subject to the approval
> of the people in a national referendum.
>
> Marc Glendening, campaign director of the Democracy
> Movement, comments:
>
> "The EU Constitution will abolish the national veto in 69
> new areas and will result in even more laws being imposed on
> Britain that have no electoral mandate here. That's clearly
> not compatible with democratic government.
>
> "The recent election showed that people want more responsive
> government, not more decisions taken by majority vote in
> remote institutions in Brussels. That the government is
> pressing ahead with implementing the EU Constitution shows
> clearly that they have not listened to the message people
> sent them just 19 days ago.
>
> "In particular it seems strange that Jack Straw should be
> recommending this profound political change when only on
> Sunday he said that Britain would use its veto to stop the
> EU taking our £3billion rebate away.
>
> "If the government is relaxed about giving away Parliament's
> capacity to block unwelcome laws in these numerous new
> areas, why not give it away in relation to all policy areas,
> including the payments national governments have to hand
> over to the fraud- ridden Brussels budget?
>
> "Jack Straw needs to make up his mind - either we need the
> ability to block unwelcome EU laws or not."
>
> <Ends>
>
> For more information, contact Marc Glendening on 020 8570
> 5861
>
>
> NOTES:
>
> The Democracy Movement - formerly Sir James Goldsmith's
> Referendum Party - is today the non-party grass-roots
> campaign against the EU Constitution: a campaign to save
> democracy and for a more modern, truly international future
> for Britain.
>
> With over 325,000 registered supporters and 120 local
> branches nationwide, it is the largest non-party
> organisation campaigning on the issue of Britain's
> relationship with the European Union, and will play a
> leading grass-roots role in the campaign for a 'No' vote to
> the EU Constitution.
>
> ------------------------
> Democracy Movement
> Kershaw House
> 449 Great West Road
> Hounslow
> TW5 0BU
> T: 020 8570 5681
> F: 020 8570 5213
> mail(at)democracymovement.org.uk
> http://www.democracymovement.org.uk
> ------------------------