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Blair not for referendum on E.U. statute

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON OCT. 18. The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has ruled out a referendum on the controversial E.U. constitution, which, it is feared, is likely to undermine Britain's sovereignty in key areas, including foreign policy and economic and social affairs.

In his most categorical statement yet on the issue, Mr. Blair declared: "There will not be a referendum. The reason for this is that the constitution does not fundamentally change the relationship between the U.K. and the E.U.''

His remarks, after talks in Brussels on Friday, came amid fresh calls for a referendum after it was reported that the Queen was concerned about the impact of the E.U. constitution on her own role. A report in The Daily Telegraph earlier in the week claimed that the Palace feared the Queen's supreme authority could be eroded by article 10 of the proposed E.U. constitution which says: "The constitution and law adopted by the Union's institutions in exercising competences conferred on it shall have primacy over the law of the member-states.''

But Mr. Blair dismissed such fears saying: "There are seven countries around the table that have heads of state that are kings and queens. None of us is going to give that up.'' He accused his critics of scare mongering and insisted that there was no question of Britain compromising its constitutional sovereignty. "I have set down certain red lines, critical to our identity as a nation state, that Britain decides our tax rates, our foreign policy, our defence policy,'' he said assuring Euro-sceptics that "nothing can be done without Britain's agreement''. He pointed out that in any case the constitution would go through both Houses of Parliament before it was accepted.

But his remarks failed to impress critics, including many in his own party, who said the public had a right to be consulted on such a vital exercise. According to one poll, 75 per cent of the people want a referendum with 35 per cent saying that they would vote against the proposed constitution if there were to be a referendum. The Tories, giving full vent to their Euro-scepticism, accused Mr. Blair of `hoodwinking' the people and contrasted his stand with other E.U. member-states which are inclined to hold a referendum.

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