Udtalese, 30. maj 2005

The Prime Minister has called for a 'period of reflection' after France voted no to the proposed EU Constitution.

Around 55 per cent of French people voted 'No' to their referendum at the weekend. The Constitution needs to be approved by all 25 member states.

Speaking to journalists in Tuscany earlier today, Mr Blair added that Britain would have its own vote, if there is still a treaty to vote on.

Mr Blair said:

"What is important now is having a time for reflection with the Dutch referendum in a couple of days' time and the European council in the middle of June where the leaders will discuss the implications of the votes that have taken place.

"But I think that underneath all this there is a more profound question, which is about the future of Europe and, in particular, the future of the European economy and how we deal with the modern questions of globalisation and technological change.

"And how we ensure the European economy is strong and is prosperous in the face of those challenges.

"All the way through I have said that we should support the constitution, it is a sensible set of rules to regulate European decision-making now that Europe is so much larger."

Interview, 1. juni 2005

Question:

Do you accept this as the end of the treaty?

Prime Minister:

I think what is important now is to have a time for reflection. We have the Dutch referendum in a couple of days time the Europe council in the middle of June where leaders can discuss the implications of the votes that have taken place but I think that underneath all this there is one profound question which is about the future of Europe and in particular the future of the European economy and how it deals with the modern pressures of globalization and technological change and how we insure the European economy is strong and prosperous in the face of those chanllenges. Underlying about all these debates about the constitution is that central economic challenge.

Question:

But is that not the problem the French have rejected the more liberal economic model which we in Britain are pushing for. What changes can be made to the treaty to make it acceptable to both the French and the British.

Prime Minister:

This is, I think, why we have to have this bigger debate in Europe. The constitution is a perfectly sensible set of rules to govern a Europe that is no longer 15 countries but 25 and perhaps 30 or more but the question that is being debated by the people in Europe is how do we in this era of globalization make our economies stronger and competitive what is the European social model of social protection in todays world. How do we ensure that we remain prosperous that we continue with the emergence of powers like China with a very very competitive global environment how do we make sure that the living standards of our citizens rise so I think that debate is that debate we now have got to have irrespective to what now happens to the constitution

Question:

Don't you accept that the treaty is dead or are you still going to have a referendum?

Prime Minister:

If there is a constituional treaty, let me make it clear as I have said many times before if there is a constitutional treaty to vote upon we will have a vote in Britain before ratifying it but I think we now have to see what happens in the Dutch referendum in a couple days time we have to have that discussion at the European council.

Question:

What could you possibly salvage at that European council given the contradictions which are evident even in France let alone the whole of Europe?

Prime Minister:

That is the very issue we have got to debate but I think particularly with Britain assuming the presidency of the European Union at the end of June I think we've got a particular responsability to wait for that discussion at the the European council and to take part in it.

Question:

But in refusing to rule out a referendum aren't you in effect ducking behind other countries sort of saying look you go out and make your mind up we will wait to see what you do

Prime Minister:

No I think it is a question of having this time for reflection which is sensible because of the French vote and indeed the size of the French vote you've got the Dutch referendum coming up of course I have said all the way thru to support the constitution as a sensible set of rules to regulate European decision making when Europe is so much larger when you have brought in all these countries from Eastern Europe and about to enlarge it to Bulgaria and Rumania and then Turkey the real point I would make to you and this emerges very strongly from the French referendum campaign, which you were suggesting earlier this deep profound underlying anxiety that people in Europe have about how the economy of Europe not just in France but in Britain in Italy in Germany and else where in Europe how the economy in Europe faces up to the challenges in the modern world to a very competitive global economy where you have emerging powers like China where you have a strong competition with America How do we give our citizens proper protection proper welfare and public services and at the same time remaining strong and competitive and able to be prosperous in this modern world That in my view is the question we need to debate in Europe along side whatever decisions are taken in respect of the constitution.

Question:

Will you declare the referendum dead or will you promise to have the referendum and let the British have their say?

Prime Minister:

Obviously, we have to have a time for reflection in Europe to see how Europe is going to proceed. Again, as I have always said, if there is to be a constitutional treaty Britain will vote on it. I think at this moment after this vote the day after it and two days in advance of the Dutch referendum we have to have some time for reflection both in Europe and in respect Britain.

Question:

What chance is there, the French-the founders of Europe say no what possibility is there of you carrying a European referendum?

Prime Minister:

You have the Dutch referendum in two days time so I think it is important that I do not start trying to speak too much about what may happen in advance of that as well you must remember that Holland has its right to have a vote in two days time and then you have the European council.

Question:

Do we not have an obligation with the treaty to proceed with a ratification can we just disregard that?

Prime Minister:

No of course not but in the end , as I say, the European council is going to have to discuss the implications of the French vote then you have the Dutch vote in a couple days time.

Question:

Why are you finding it so hard to sell the idea of the European Union to the citizens it has been rejected in France it will be rejected in Holland for different reasons why is it so difficult to convince people ?

Prime Minister:

Well I think that is a very good question I think the problem is this the European constitution is a sensible set of rules to regulate decision making in Europe when Europe is no longer 15 but 25 and perhaps even 30 so we needed to change the rules of Europe. The European constituion therefore is one debate that the political leaders in Europe are having sensibly necessarily in order to change the way Europe works. The problem is there is another debate going on in Europe amongst the people of Europe which is to do with jobs, economic security, public service and welfare reform in an era of globalization, illegal immigration, organized crime, issues to do with the economy and security that seem to them the issues they want to see leadership from Europe upon. The problem in a sense that we have had is that these two debates both of which are necessary the political leadership seems to be engaged in the first debate about the constitution and the people of Europe are engaged in the second which is how do we in the modern world keep our systems of social protection but have a competitive economy - how do we deal with illegal immigration and drug trafficking and organized crime how do we deal with these questions which are very basic on the streets of Europe not just in France but frankly in Britain or in Germany or any other country of Europe that is the problem I think.

Question:

Does that not show how out of touch the European leaders have let themselves get?

Prime Minister:

I think what it shows is because these rules are necessary to change the way Europe works but what it shows is the urgent necessity of showing that the political leadership in Europe is capable of addressing the questions that the citizens of Europe are asking which is to do with the economy and globalization and the speed of technological change and security and crime and illegal immigration and if we can't answer those questions satisfactorily as the political leadership of Europe then the people of Europe will be in one place and the leaders of Europe will be in another.

Question:

Doesn't suggest any quick solution to this?

Prime Minister:

Well I think we just have to wait and see about that but I think whatever happens these fundamental questions about policy in Europe and in particular economic policy in Europe are going to remain and have to be addressed by us.

Question:

The French vote was not against the constitution per se but against a lot of other issues that had nothing to do with the text of the treaty?

Prime Minister:

I am no more an expert on that than anyone else but plainly there would have been people who were voting against the constitution for reasons to do with the constitution and then there may have been other reasons as well but I think if you take Europe as a whole the situtation is as I was describing a short time ago in other words there is a different level of debate going on amongst the people of Europe that the political leadership of Europe has to address.

Question:

Can the Europe of 25 countries go ahead without this treaty?

Prime Minister:

Obviously we have a basis of doing that in the Nice treaty but the changes in the constitution were sensible changes so there is a problem for Europe there but this other issue is going to have to be addressed otherwise we will find it hard to get support for the necessary changes in rules in Europe.

Kilde: Premierministerens hjemmeside