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Six Questions and Answers
on the Proposed European Constitution

This leaflet, by CREC, a group of British people from all walks of life, informs you about a vital subject - the attempt to replace the British Constitution with a European Constitution. This will remove many rights we have under our existing Constitution - and will profoundly affect the generation that follows you. Please take a few quiet moments to read it

1. What is the 'European Constitution'?
ANSWER: It is a proposed new set of rules for governing Europe - an attempt to create a 'Euro State'. This will replace the nations of Europe with one huge new nation. Britain has its own Constitution; other countries have theirs. But under the proposed 'European Constitution', Britain and other E.U. countries will no longer have their own constitutions.

2. Why do you say that?
ANSWER: Because they want to take away the rights of nations to make decisions about their own future. This is just some of what they want to put in the European Constitution:
(a) one President for the whole of the European Union
(b) one foreign policy and one defence policy for the whole of the European Union
(c) one Army, Navy and Air Force for the whole of the European Union
(d) one justice system for the whole of the European Union - without jury trial
(e) one currency (the euro) for the whole of the European Union
(f) one taxation system for the whole of the European Union (which means higher taxes)
(g) the E.U. (not Britain) will have legal power to negotiate treaties and trade agreements and represent Britain on world bodies like the U.N., the W.T.O. and the 'G8' countries.
To put it very simply, as a nation we will no longer be able to make key decisions about our future. We will have lost control over matters affecting our prosperity, welfare and safety.

3. Why is that a problem? Surely it's better to be part of a strong Europe? Isn't it time the European nations came together to stop wars happening in the future?
ANSWER: The arguments for being part of a 'strong Europe' are complex. We are already part of the 'common market' - adopting the European Constitution won't change that. The euro hasn't benefited eurozone countries - French unemployment is around 3 million and German unemployment nearing 5 million. Ours remains under 1½ million. We've flourished in the past as an independent nation. The experience of the euro shows that we don't have to give up our independence to succeed in the world. Two World Wars weren't caused by Europe not being united. They happened because an undemocratic German government invaded other countries. There have been many past attempts to create one nation from different cultures. Recent examples were the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. They broke up as the peoples within them demanded the right to govern themselves - after years of being run by undemocratic governments. We co-operate closely with other European nations already. A single Euro-government would be remoter from the people than it is now. Only politicians really want a European Constitution - they will get more power, influence and money.

4. Are there any real dangers about adopting a European Constitution?
ANSWER: Yes, many. The most fundamental are about the loss of liberty. Under the European Constitution, we will get a uniform justice system with these features:
(a) it will end the right to jury trial. Decisions will be made by paid professional judges, appointed by the European Union
(b) it will end habeas corpus. This is the very precious right we have in this country not to be detained by the Police longer than 24 hours, without being brought before a Court of law where the Police have to prove they have an arguable case
(c) it will in certain cases end the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
These sound legal principles mean a state cannot abuse its power. They've enabled us to be a free people. The European Constitution will permanently end these precious principles. We will lose all control over our right to determine our own future. When British monarchs are crowned, they promise, under oath, to guarantee to preserve the 'laws and customs' of the British people. They will no longer be able to do so under an E.U. Constitution.

A decision to adopt this Constitution is even more important than on whether to adopt the euro. We say simply that the people of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should have the right to decide this issue - just as the smallest club or society must have a proper vote on whether to change its constitution. A major national debate is needed. The table below shows you some of what we're at risk of throwing away:

British Constitution European Constitution
Right to Jury Trial Jury Trial abolished under 'Corpus Juris'
Police must produce you in Court after holding you for 24 hours Detention without trial for unlimited periods
(again, see the E.U.'s book 'Corpus Juris']
The rights and freedoms Briton have had under British common law for centuries New, repressive, European laws
Decisions made by MPs you can throw out every 5 years Decisions made by unelected Commissioners
who can be appointed for indefinite periods
Parliament with powers to make laws E.U. Parliament has no power to make laws
Annual Budget decided by Parliament Budget decided by Commissioners - and so
badly misspent that the E.U. auditors have
refused to approve their accounts for 8 years
British Armed Forces and Police European Armed Forces and Police
The right to run our own country Decisions made by 25 or more countries
The right to control our own finances Economy run by 25 or more countries who
spend billions of our money each year


5. How do we get your postcards?
ANSWER: Contact us at 'CREC. 32 Station Rd. Poppleton. York YO26 6PY. 01904 795204 or graham.wood03@virgin.net or visit our website at www.european-referendum.org.uk. Every card has a unique number (so we know how many have been sent to the Queen). Prices are 10 for £1.50, 25 for £3.00, 50 for £5, 75 for £6.75 and £8 for 100. Membership of CREC costs £8, including 100 postcards if required. Cheques/P.O.s to CREC please. For bulk rates, e.g. if you are running a special campaign, please contact us.

6. What else can we do about this threat to our Constitution?
ANSWER: Please pass this leaflet to a relative, friend or work colleague, or copy it and send it to others. Consider ordering more postcards and try to encourage people you know to send them off. If hundreds of thousands of people post these cards to the Queen, the government may get the message and concede a referendum. Another step you can take is to 'phone your MP. You can do this any weekday by 'phoning 0207 219 3000. Ask your MP "Will you be voting for us to have a referendum on the European Constitution - Yes or No?"

Fed up with the EU? Need to know more?

Further Resources
Spread the word to friends withThe Real Face of the European Union by Phillip Day, video documentary (PAL format only) which lays out the problem and what you can do about it.
Ten Minutes to Midnight by Phillip Day
Vigilance by Ashley Mote

Click here to purchase or review any of the above.
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