The Green Party is in favour of having an EU Constitution –
but not the one proposed!
“Undoubtedly we need a constitution – a document which defines the rights and responsibilities of citizens, nations and the EU and which sets out its core principles, institutions and mechanisms, whilst commanding popular support and protection for the environment – but this wasn’t it, as the French have made clear.” – Dr Caroline Lucas MEP
The Green Party backs the idea of an EU Constitution, but has called for a concise statement of principles which would redefine a new 'big idea' for the project - placing peace, social justice, environmental sustainability and democratic accountability at its heart. A European Union that protects people from the harsh effects of globalisation NOT an EU that prioritises corporate interests and the unbridled power of big business.15th Feb 2005
The Constitution debate is full of "false attempts to con the British people"
Pro-Europeans should vote 'No' in the referendum on whether the UK should sign up to the proposed EU Constitution, according to a report published today by Green Party Euro-MP Caroline Lucas.
In 'Taking the Cons out of the Constitution', Dr Lucas argues that the EU needs a new 'big idea' - and that the draft Constitution represents a missed opportunity to reconnect the EU with the peoples of Europe.
The report identifies and refutes four misleading statements - cons - made by the Constitution's supporters: that the Constitution is just a 'tidying up exercise', that it will make the EU more secure, that it will enhance the EU's sustainability, and that it will make the EU more democratic. "These arguments are simply false attempts to con the British people - most of whom will not actually have read the proposed Constitution themselves," she said.
Dr Lucas, who represents South-East England and is a member of the advisory board of the pro-European think-tank Centre for a Social Europe, says: "Greens are pro-Europe but against the present direction of the European Union and its proposed Constitution.
"This little-read and typically unwieldy document will enshrine the neo-liberal economic model at the heart of the EU. Open markets, public expenditure curbs and international competitiveness will be constitutionally prioritised over environmental protection and workers rights.
"If adopted, it will accelerate the economic inequality, social insecurity and inadequate environmental protection found in much of the continent."
The Green Party backs the idea of an EU Constitution, but has called for a concise statement of principles which would redefine a new 'big idea' for the project - placing peace, sustainability and democratic accountability at its heart.
Dr Lucas added: "The EU faces a crisis of democratic confidence. The need for radical reform to place social and environmental justice at the heart of a transparent and democratically accountable EU has never been greater - but this proposed constitution is a step away from, not towards, these goals.
"If it is rejected by one or more countries the sky will not fall in on Europe. In fact, a rejection here in the UK - or in any other member state - would prompt a long-overdue rethink of the economic and political direction of whole EU project."
'Taking the Cons out of the Constitution', which is co-authored by localisation expert Colin Hines, has been released to coincide with the run up to the Spanish referendum that takes place this Sunday 20th February.
10th Feb 2005
Proposed constitution "a step away from democratically accountable EU", warns Green MEP
Green MEP Caroline Lucas has welcomed the government's decision to pave the way for a referendum with an EU Constitution bill receiving its second reading in parliament today.
"This treaty is a flawed document that will make the EU less accountable, less sustainable, and less just - but I welcome Blair's courage in keeping his word and giving the British people a chance to reject it once and for all," said Dr Lucas, South-East England's Green Party Euro-MP, and member of the advisory board of the pro-European think-tank centre for a Social Europe.
But she warned the government was trying to stifle parliamentary debate but hoodwinking MPs into debating the planned referendum - rather than the constitution itself.
"The truth is this Constitution, if adopted, will tie the hands of future British parliaments, and by rushing through a technical debate rather than giving MPs the chance to discuss the treaty itself the government has today signaled the start of its corrosive effect on British democracy," said Dr Lucas.
"Undoubtedly we need an EU constitution, just as we need a British constitution, to spell out the relationships between citizens and the institutions that govern them - but this just isn't it.
"The need for radical reform to place social and environmental justice at the heart of a transparent and democratically accountable EU has never been greater - but this proposed constitution is a step away from, not towards, these goals.
16th Nov 2004
No doubt those politicians who will be campaigning for the European constitution will be gratified by new figures suggesting that 64% of Britons think that this county's relations with our European Partners are more important than its relations with America (1). But those of us who are preparing to fight the opposite corner can also feel positive.
The majority of Briton's are not xenophobic Euro sceptics. They have little sympathy for UKIP's plans to leave the EU in favour of NAFTA. Yet 69% of them (2) feel the constitution will give the EU too much power. They are not swayed by the hysteria of right wing politicians and newspapers. But they are genuinely concerned that this constitution will entrench much of what is wrong about the EU. They want Europe to work together. But they are concerned that the EU is corrupt, unaccountable and undemocratic.
The Green Party, like the majority of the British people, wants to see Britain build on our relations with our European neighbours and, like the majority of the British people, we are opposed to the EU constitution as it stands. We want Britain to help build a new European Union based on social justice, democratic accountability and environmental sustainability.
(1)Source: The Independent, 16/11/04:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=583687
(2) Source ICM EU Constitution Survey, June 2004:
http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/reviews/2004/Centresocial%20europe/040618%20ICM%20on%20IGC.pdf
The Green Party have by far the strongest animal protection policy of any party. They are the only party to officially recognise the concept of animal rights. This means that, instead of animal welfare being under threat whenever human beings wish to use and abuse them, there should be basic rights, written into law, which safeguards their wellbeing. As the Green Party explains:
"The prevailing assumption that animals can be used for any purpose that benefits humankind is not acceptable in a Green society. Our log term aim is to eliminate the wholesale exploitation of other species, foster understanding of our inter-relationship in the web of life and protect and promote natural habitat... A compassionate and respectful relationship to other sentient creatures is essential for human dignity and ultimately our own quality of life... Animal rights are a central element of the Green outlook and our wholehearted commitment to justice means that we must accord to animals the equitable consideration due to them."
The specific policies advanced by the Green Party reflect these values.
The Green Party views animal research as cruel and unnecessary:
Every year, nearly three million animals are killed British laboratories. The pain and distress they suffer may be prolonged, repeated and the majority receive no anaesthesia.
"Every species of animal is unique and each suffers different diseases and reacts differently to drugs. Scores of drugs "proven safe" in animals go on to harm and kill humans; in fact, 70,000 people suffer dangerous, often lethal, reactions to their animal-tested medicines every year in England alone. The fact is that testing on animals is a traditional and largely unquestioned technique, which benefits many powerful companies and provides liability protection for the pharmaceutical industry."
The Green Party proposes:
"... to phase out all animal experiments within five years of taking office. An immediate prohibition will apply to all cosmetic, household, weapons, xenotransplantation, genetic manipulation and behavioural experiments with animals, all animal-based pharmaceutical experiments for the development of me-too drugs, together with the LD50 [Lethal Dose], Draize and all other animal-based toxicity tests. An immediate prohibition will apply to all experiments on cats, dogs and primates. In addition, government research funds will be transferred from animal tests to alternative research, including epidemiology, in order to shift the emphasis from curative to preventative medicine."
The Green Party expresses similar sentiments concerning farmed animals:
"850 million animals are killed to be used as food in the UK every year. Factory-farmed animals suffer immensely, pushed well beyond their biological limits, as profits are consistently prioritised over animal welfare. The cellophane-wrapped packages in supermarkets, concealing the grim realities of the life and death of farmed animals, serve to allow consumers to close their eyes to suffering."
In response, the Green Party promises to:
"... phase out all forms of intensive farming, prohibit the export of live animals and ban the import of commodities not produced to UK standards. We would also work to get World Trade Organisation rules changed, permitting bans on the basis of cruelty. Animals are not industrial products, but sentient creatures, having their own interests. The global reach of giant food and chemical companies threatens to cause animal exploitation on a scale never before seen and we recognise that it is essential to restrict free trade if we are to live alongside, rather than at the expense of, other species."
"The expanding livestock industry contributes to animal suffering and destruction and pollution of the environment. It is also energy intensive rather than labour intensive, and contributes to world starvation. We would therefore encourage a reduction in consumption of animal produce and promote the development and use of foods which are more healthy and humane."
The Green Party states that they would legislate to:
"prohibit hunting with hounds, shooting, snaring, coursing and various other abuses of our animal population. The Green Party is fundamentally opposed to all bloodsports."
www.greenparty.org.uk/files/reports/2004/
1ANIMAL RIGHTS REPORT fn.htm
http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/mfss/animal.html