MEP says do not resuscitate EU Constitution

Date published: 07/03/2007

Attempts to bring the proposed EU Constitution back to life should be allowed to wither on the vine, Rochdale Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies said this week.

Mr Davies was a strong supporter of the constitutional project but believes that it cannot recover from defeat in referendums in France and Holland.

A majority of Europe's governments are hoping that it can be revived in a modified form, but writing in his party's newspaper, Liberal Democrat News, Chris Davies says the real fight should be to secure limited rule changes so that the enlarged EU can avoid paralysis and address growing challenges.

He writes: "Clearly a Europe of 27 nations requires more streamlined procedures to one of just 15, but the constitutional proposals have proved too divisive. 

"We should make the minimum changes necessary to allow the EU to get on with its practical tasks, such as leading the fight against climate change."