With due deference to its originators, we gratefully acknowledge the contribution made by ‘Wikipedia’ in presenting the following statement regarding the Reform Treaty (better known as the Treaty of Lisbon.
“The Treaty of Lisbon (initially known as the Reform Treaty) is an international agreement that amends the two treaties which form the ‘constitutional’ basis of the European Union(EU). The Treaty of Lisbon was signed by the EU member states on 13 December 2007, and entered into force on 1 December 2009.[2] It amends the Maastricht Treaty (1992), known in updated form as the Treaty on European Union (2007) or TEU, and the Treaty of Rome (1957), known in updated form as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2007) or TFEU.[3] It also amends the attached treaty protocols as well as the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).
Prominent changes included the move from unanimity to qualified majority voting [QMV] in at least 45 policy areas in the Council of Ministers, a change in calculating such a majority to a new double majority, a more powerful European Parliament forming a bicameral legislature alongside the Council of Ministers under the ordinary legislative procedure, a consolidated legal personality for the EU and the creation of a long-term President of the European Council and a ‘High’? Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Treaty also makes the Union’s bill of rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding. The Treaty for the first time gave member states the explicit legal right to leave the EU, and established a procedure by which to do so.
The stated aim of the treaty was to “complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam [1997] and by the Treaty of Nice [2001] with a view to enhancing the efficiency and ‘democratic’ legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its action””.
12.04.19 – The Lisbon Treaty Pitfalls
We may have been unwary enough to allow ourselves to be enticed into the EU’s ‘federation’, but its ‘High Authority’ is proving to be illusory, and the time is now short, before, in utter desperation, it seeks to reduce our nation to a vassal status, as it assumes control of our territory, finances and populace.
October 1994 – Norman Lamont concluded:
“As a former Chancellor, I can only say I cannot pinpoint a single concrete economic advantage that unambiguously comes to our country because of our membership of the European Union.”
Please, promise me that those who think that ‘remaining’ tied up in the web of this ‘constitution’ have not opted to do so after reading the small print. Please, download the confounded thing (all 583 pages of it) and READ it.
LIVING STONES 