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Foreign Affairs and Defence

I do not agree with any suggestion that the United Kingdom should give up its seat on the United Nations Security Council. More important, it is the policy of the Government not to give it up. There are also significant things that the treaty does not do. As Giuliano Amato, deputy president of the European Convention, has said,"““If someone in the UK is calling for a referendum, that is not because the text we have in front of us is a Constitution.””" The German Conservative President of the European Parliament, who is from the sister party of Conservative Members here, has said"““Since making the Charter legally binding and extending Community competence to JHA were two of the most important features of the original constitution, the deal struck by Tony Blair in June means that—for better or worse—much of its substance will simply not apply””" in the United Kingdom. Let me say more about what the treaty does not do—about the myths that are simply that, myths. First, the treaty contains an explicit, legally binding guarantee that the UK's existing labour and social legislation will be protected. A legally binding protocol states that"““the Charter reaffirms the rights, freedoms and principles recognised in the Union and makes those rights more visible, but does not create new rights or principles””." A legally binding document also states"““The Charter does not extend the ability of the Court of Justice of the European Union… to find that the laws, regulations or… provisions… of the United Kingdom are inconsistent with… fundamental rights””." It is worth noting the CBI's statement in its lobby briefing that the commitments secured by the Government mean that it is time for us to move on to other big policy issues rather than becoming bogged down in this one. Secondly, the treaty extends our existing right to opt into co-operation on visas, asylum and migration to cover co-operation in police and judicial processes. It is right for the UK to decide what is in our interests, and to opt in where we want to and not opt in where we do not.