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novembro 02, 2004
Constitution is signed but ministers will have 18 months to win round voters
Fonte: The Times
Constitution is signed but ministers will have 18 months to win round voters
By Philip Webster, Political Editor
BRITAIN’S referendum on the new European constitution will be delayed until 2006, giving ministers at least 18 months to convince a sceptical public.
The crucial vote is expected in early 2006, Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said as European leaders gathered in Rome to sign the constitutional treaty yesterday. Well-placed sources suggested that it could be held even later.
The British vote will come several months after that in France, where there are growing doubts about whether President Chirac will be able to secure a “yes” vote, and in other countries.
Some ministers, MPs and officials fear that the referendum could become a vote on Tony Blair’s premiership and that, if he is unpopular at the time, it will become more about him than Europe.
Many MPs believe that Mr Blair may use the referendum to bow out, win or lose. He announced last month that he would fight for a third term but leave office towards the end of it.
The timing of the referendum means that he will be unable to avoid speculation about his future within a year of the election and may be forced into saying that he intends to stay on regardless of the result.
His position would be eased if the French reject the treaty in their vote, expected next summer. That would leave the EU in crisis.
Although Downing Street insisted yesterday that the British vote would take place come what may, there will be huge uncertainty if the French vote “no”, and several ministers believe that a British referendum would then be pointless.
Downing Street ruled out yesterday a second question on membership of the euro being put in the referendum, as some pro-European ministers have privately suggested. “They are separate isues,” Mr Blair’s official spokesman said.
Mr Straw’s prediction appears to be based on the near-certainty of a general election next May. He said the referendum was likely in early 2006 because Britain holds the EU presidency between July and December next year and a referendum would be practically impossible in that period.
The vote can be held any time up to October 2006 and the wait is the clearest sign that Mr Blair knows he has a huge task to win round public opinion.
Michael Ancram, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, said that it was rubbish to suggest that there could not be a referendum during Britain’s presidency. If the Conservatives won the election, they would hold a referendum by next October, he said.
Legislation ratifying the treaty will be introduced in the Queeen’s Speech on November 23, but the Bill authorising a referendum is not expected until after the general election. Mr Blair would clearly use the British presidency as a starting point for his campaign.
Italy ready to drop ‘gay row’ commissioner
SILVIO BERLUSCONI indicated last night that he was ready to ditch Rocco Buttiglione as a European commissioner.
Signor Buttiglione ran into fierce opposition by saying that homosexuality was a sin. He was the first nominee to be rejected by the European Parliament.
Signor Berlusconi said that Signor Buttiglione would remain a minister in his Government and that another candidate was likely to be found as candidate for European commissioner22
Publicado por esta às novembro 2, 2004 01:11 PM