A Centre for a Social Europe publication (Autumn 2004)
Introduction
- by
Ian Davidson MP,
Chair of Advisory Board
For a long time, too many progressives have been quiet about the shortcomings of the EU. Those of us who try to raise the issue of EU reform are often accused of being "anti- Europeans" or "little-Englanders". We need to raise the level of debate on the EU.
The Centre for a Social Europe is supported by internationalists who back an EU based on the ideal of European co-operation. But we think it is time to accept that the current model of the European Union is not working.
Neo-liberal economics, too much centralisation
and a failure to tackle extensive fraud
and waste are leading to an ever greater
disconnection between EU institutions and
the people they are supposed to represent.
Europe needs to change. Saying "no" to the
Constitution is the first step towards real
reform.
I am delighted that the Centre for a Social Europe has been formed and I hope that after reading this introduction to the organisation, you will want to join us in this debate.
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Working together: A new, democratic
Europe is possible
- by Sören Wibe,
Swedish Social Democrat MP
The European Union is changing. You may not have noticed because change in such a bureaucratic body is always going to be slow. But change is coming. For many years we were told that citizens of each Member State couldn't pick and choose - there would be no "à la carte Europe". But today less than half of the EU's countries have the euro, not all countries are members of the Schengen Agreement, and a large of number of countries will decline to join the proposed EU army. The "à la carte Europe" is already here.
This new EU — where countries can participate in initiatives like the euro as they see fit — is the right development for Europe.
We want an EU which encourages co-operation but doesn't force integration on its members. Diversity and close links between the citizens and the elected politicians have historically been an important source for the development of Europe, its culture and its economy. We want to sustain diversity, and democracy, in Europe. A centralised Europe, run by a Brussels elite, will be a weak and democratically unstable Europe. A Europe based on dialogue and co-operation between democratic nation states will be a strong Europe.
One way the integrationists try to smear those of us who worry about things like democracy is to say that we are isolationists.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We strongly believe in internationalism, but we oppose giving up control. Raising the level of debate is crucial. I am delighted that those on the centre-left in the UK have formed the Centre for a Social Europe.
I look forward to working with you to achieve a 'no' vote in your referendum as the first step to building a new, more open and democratic Europe.
Sören Wibe is a Social Democrat MP in the Riksdag, the Swedish Parliament. He was previously a Member of the European Parliament, and is a Professor of Economics.
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Download the full publication as PDF file: rejectconstitution.pdf
Contents:
-
The case for a social Europe
- Europe needs real reform
- The Constitution is a step in the wrong direction
- Reconnecting the EU with its citizens
- Who we are
If you would like more information about the work of the
Centre for a Social Europe, please email info@social-europe.org.uk
or visit our website: www.social-europe.org.uk
