Will EU constitution make a difference?

The Prime Minister has started a campaign to win support for the newly negotiated European constitution.

He says the deal, which protects Britain's rights to control taxes, defence and foreign policy, is an "historic success".

But opinion polls suggest that voters are becoming more sceptical of Europe despite Tony Blair's reassurance that Britain will only sign up to it after a referendum.

Shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram called for an immediate referendum on the deal, calling it "a gateway to a country called Europe".

Do you support the constitution? Do you think the treaty is right for Britain? Is it the right blueprint for Europe?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far.

This is not only good for Britain and Europe but also the world David Drane, Poole, Dorset

We, as a country, have had the debate about whether we are the 51st state of the USA, or a member nation of Europe for several decades now. We have a historic opportunity within this constitution to be part of what is effectively the United States of Europe; however it is dressed for the public palette. In my view this is not only good for Britain and Europe but also the world.
David Drane, Poole, Dorset

I am half Spanish and my company trades between the UK and the EU where I spend much time. I am afraid you will find that very many people like me who have long experience of the UK and EU do not want the UK to become like France, Germany etc. Overall the UK is a better place to live and if we change to the European way of doing things it will be a step backwards which will be hard to rectify.
David, Ware, Essex

I find it quite ironic, that the 'poor cousin' of Britain, Ireland, has embraced the European Union, culminating in drafting this EU constitution, while Britain, the so called 'superpower', moans and whines about something they joined of their own will. All these 'eurosceptic' parties forming have no foundations other than one policy, and in effect, are huge hypocrites: get elected to the EU parliament to get out of it!
Jason Robinson, Dublin, Ireland

This constitution makes the EU more democratic by giving the parliament more power, it secures our basic freedoms, makes the EU able to stand stronger on foreign policy issues, but at the same time retains the 'core' of our national sovereignty. This is not creating a supranational state, but strengthening the largely undemocratic EU we have today!
Iselin, London, UK

We shall still be governed by a political elite that decides who does what Giovanni, Lugano, Switzerland

It changes nothing. As we have seen last weekend we shall still be governed by a political elite that decides who does what. When there is a truly elected parliament and an elected commission then maybe a constitution would be acceptable. However this constitution should be understandable to the rank and file and not drafted purely for lawyers.
Giovanni, Lugano, Switzerland

My complaint about the EU has always been that national governments use it to pass laws that they know to be unpopular. If the constitution can improve the democratic accountability of the EU institutions, and reduce the dominance of the secretive Council of Ministers, then it will be a great help. Those in the UK opposed to the EU ought to realise that many of its more interfering decisions were actually proposed by British ministers, both Tory and Labour, and that our politicians are hardly likely to revoke many of them if the UK were to leave the EU.
Simon Middleton, Sheffield, UK

To all the European contributors who keep telling the people of the UK to either commit or get out we would love to but haven't had a referendum in years to show our views. I think it is a disgrace that Blair will hold off the referendum until 2006 in order to try and get the result he wants. On other hand he has to win the general election which is not going to be a that much of a certainty...
Marc, Taiwan

Yes. It is the only, and perhaps the last, opportunity for the electorate to decisively affect the course of European politics.
Rob, London, UK

Britain can stand on its own two feet, without the help of un-elected politicians at Brussels Liam, Marske

People in World War II fought, and died so that Britain would be free from Europe! Would you disgrace their names now by giving up what they fought for, what they gave their lives for? Britain can stand on its own two feet, without the help of un-elected politicians at Brussels. This referendum should show people that. It isn't their emotion that drives their opinion; it's their common sense, as well as their dignity and pride for this nation! Tony Blair is a weak fool who is basically showing that he would sell out his own country, to get a good place in Brussels. He was ready to sacrifice Gibraltar to the Spanish for his own gains - do you think he will do anything less just to guarantee his own place in the sun? Think carefully when you say that this constitution is just a mere tidying up job of other treaties, its much more than that, it makes a mockery of democracy.
Liam, Marske

If this country would actually take part fully in the EU people wouldn't think we were being ruled by France and Germany Kieron Green, Edinburgh

If this country would actually take part fully in the EU people wouldn't think we were being ruled by France and Germany - we would have as much control over the EU as they do. Instead we wait for the rest of the EU to agree on something, then join in 10 years later and wonder why we didn't have a say on decisions.

It wasn't that long ago that the UK didn't exist as a country, go back further and even England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales didn't exist - why can't we now be part of a united Europe, and in time a united world? It's a natural progression, just a pity the UK is always trying to wreck it.
Kieron Green, Edinburgh, Scotland

The constitution is an attempt to create a dominant institute that by its very nature will weaken local power. Once power is established in a constitution we will not be able to subvert it locally and getting out will probably be nigh on impossible too. Whilst I'm generally sympathetic to a European trading bloc I'm not sure I want us to become even more ruled from outside.
Pete, Birmingham, UK

It will make a difference in many ways for all signatory countries and its inhabitants. It will give legal rights to individuals that surpasses the nation state, and enhance the protection of minority groups within states (ethnic minorities, gays, women, gender etc).

Also freedom of movement and the right to work in any member state is also a good thing that the constitution among other things will be able to offer and protect. Also it offers an alternative to the dollar and reduces however slight, the ever increasing US influence on global power politics.
Ronald Elly Wanda, England

No I don't believe that it is right for Britain. It is said that the EU will become a legal entity. To me that says superstate!
Sarah, Derby

As with home government, the new EU constitution will not benefit the ordinary person.
W P Derbyshire, London

The blueprint is another step towards a Federal State which the British people do not want. We want to be in Europe as a trading community, not run be a Franco-German alliance. Their must be very clear indications that the Federal State will not happen or we must withdraw and join the North American trading alliance (no constitution required there!)
John Karran, Merseyside, UK

Blair had become like Thatcher, both have gone too far and both won't back down on their beliefs. Signing the EU Constitution without the support of the majority of this country, Blair is becoming dangerous, he could become capable of anything soon, the EU constitution might as well be a declaration of surrender
Lewis, Birmingham, UK

The politicians tell us its all about nation-states sharing sovereignty. This is a contradiction in terms - the point about sovereignty is that it is absolute and inviolate and by definition cannot be shared.
Godfrey Bartlett, Brentwood, England

First point is that we don't actually know what the deal is that Blair has signed up for - so all highly speculative. If our government is so proud of this achievement then without delay they should send each household in the land a copy of this historic agreement, so that we can read it for ourselves, rather than relying on the bias and interpretations placed on it by the various vested interest groups and 'spinners'. Then Mr Blair should call the promised referendum without delay, and then and only then if there is a significant majority in favour should the constitution be signed into UK law.
Phillip King, Market Harborough, UK

The European Union is a dream come true, after centuries of wars between its member states Reinout, Kortrijk, Belgium

To all those who think of the UK as if it still were The British Empire of the 19th century: look at the world and see how small the United Kingdom is. Do you really believe that your country will have its say amongst super nations like the US, Russia and China? I didn't think so. There is something going on called globalization, and we Europeans need to anticipate to it, or else we will be lost in the crowd. The European Union is a dream come true, after centuries of wars between its member states.
Reinout, Kortrijk, Belgium

I hear we are probably not going to have the referendum until after the next election. Why is it going to take so long? Without meaning to be cynical, it seems to me that this is just an excuse for the government to soften up the public with a long campaign of spin. We should have the referendum as soon as possible.
Simon, London, England

If Britain leaves the EU, then what? The US is not a reliable ally, and if Europe is aggravated too much, why are they going to sign new trade agreements with us, when we are a small island in the middle of an Ocean and allied with no one? Before we write off the European Constitution, look at the alternatives, of which there are none beyond so-called "splendid isolation". This has only caused economic depression and political isolation when employed in the past. Does anyone seriously believe the French will allow us to safeguard our national interests in trade agreements if we can't use our position of a major power within the EU as leverage? Well done Mr. Blair and Ireland I say.
Anon, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Europe has far too many little battles going on to ever unite James, UK

Living in Europe for a year taught me Europe has far too many little battles going on to ever unite. Unfortunately, 1946 might have been the only year this idea would have had the unity needed to make Europe work.
James, UK

I can think of only three things the EU could be good for - consumer protection, environment protection and economic efficiency of the single market. Why does Europe need to be politically integrated to achieve these goals? All it requires is cooperation of nations, not a politically integrated organisation. UK Independence is on the horizon!
Harry, UK

All that work and for what a few concessions on tax and benefits - what a waste of time and taxpayers' money. The people don't want the EU constitution no matter what concessions have been made, we want to be ruled by the UK for the UK not by Brussels for the good of the French and Germans. AP
Paul Miler, Staffs, UK

Well done Ireland in getting this difficult agreement completed William Bonner, Pleyben, France

Well done Ireland in getting this difficult agreement completed, with the same determination and sense of purpose perhaps. All the people of the European Union can now sign up and make the constitution work.
William Bonner, Pleyben, France

I agree, the UK must leave the EU. The new constitution, unlike the former treaties, has an exit clause. So use it. Leave the union and stop whining. There is no honour in staying inside just to do some petty sabotaging to someone else's dream.
Giovanni, Milan, Italy

EU constitution is a hopeless exercise. "United Europe" cannot exist since there is no real correlation among the member states that would serve as a bridge, such as: language, economics, customs, and historic backgrounds. When the United States was created the participating states had common language (English) and, of course, customs and economic goals.
Elizabeth Bergner, Washington, DC

Oh for goodness sake quite you're whining! Anyone "in the dark", confused or not informed is in that state entirely by choice. Every piece of legislation, every document ever produced by the EU is online and available for inspection. If you are to lazy or apathetic to read it that's just fine, but stop blaming others for your inability to engage!
Brian Coughlan, Alinsås Sweden

I don't believe in a new Europe! I don't believe it at all!
L.S, Louisiana, U.S.A

We should go no further with this integration! Steve Clark, Evesham, UK

Tony Blair is pushing for democracy in Iraq at the same time he is reducing our own democratic power. We should go no further with this integration!
Steve Clark, Evesham, UK

We do not need a constitution to protect human rights, if any country within Europe does not comply with standard human rights then they should be removed from Europe, the only interest we should have with Europe is trade, and every state within Europe should keep there own affairs to themselves unless it effects others.
John Gearing, St. Helens UK

Anything new is bound to be met with resistance. But one hopes that after the teething troubles, there will be a strong European Union in place. The whole world is looking forward to the EU, comprising a right-thinking group of nations, to counter the threat posed by America.
Melanie Kumar, Bangalore, India

There is no need or purpose to a united Europe John, Liverpool, UK

Who cares... the politicians will do just fine, the public will be kept in the dark... you shouldn't vote on these things, it just encourages them!
Simon, Leeds, UK

The constitution is a farce, for an organisation that represents unelected state control over uninterested citizenry. There is no need or purpose to a united Europe, save to salve German guilt, and French insecurity and irrelevance. When it comes to a vote we'll bin it - lets leave the 'European ideal' to the economic basket cases and immature democracies of Old Europe (Ronald Rens take note)
John, Liverpool, UK

How can we possibly know what difference the constitution will make or if it can be successfully put into practice, until we have final details of what EU leaders have decided?
Anne Sadie, UK

The constitution would guarantee the right to life, human dignity, special protection of children and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of age or disability. And it prohibits eugenic practises. So this means that abortion will become illegal, right? Do these fine words mean what they say or not?
Andrew Davidson, London, UK

I would point out that in all great democracies, the dissenting voice is something to be cherished Craig, Edinburgh, Scotland

I agree that the term Constitution is perhaps too strong for the tastes of many. However, the EU does need a new set of decision-making processes and competencies now that it is enlarged. As for the Belgium reader who wants the UK to leave the EU, I would point out that in all great democracies, the dissenting voice is something to be cherished. It is not a question of being pro- or anti- Europe, that is simply a glib headline. It is about determining a legislative, regulatory and operative environment that is a "best fit" for all European Union members.
Craig, Edinburgh, Scotland.

What an adventure to be in, peacefully and gradually inventing the Europe that we want!! There will be difficulties putting it to practice and it will need to be significantly amended in the years to come. Still, yet another major milestone in the road to a European Union worthy of its name.
Christos Georgiadis, Athens, Greece

Like everything that happens at the moment within European politics it falls short of making any difference at all. It could have be brilliant a new federal superstate, which could restore a balance of power to the world but because of xenophobia from the British and new EU nations the US will still be allowed to bully anybody to do whatever they please, I'm outraged!
Christopher Barton, Reading

Every properly run organisation has a constitution whether it be a social club or the European Union Pauline Fothergill, Halifax, UK

I really cannot see what the fuss is all about - every properly run organisation has a constitution whether it be a social club or the European Union. Why do we always have to be so negative over attempts by the EU to operate properly? All the new constitution will mean is that one legal document will be required to determine the workings of the EU rather than having to refer back to several treaties dating back to the 1950s. Get a grip Britain, and don't believe all you read in the tabloids!
Pauline Fothergill, Halifax, UK

This constitution is a disaster for democracy. The US constitution is a constitution, i.e. a statement of fundamental principles. The EU "constitution" is a cooked up treaty designed to expand the power of the state at the expense of freedom.
Andrew Matthews, Seer Green

Until they can forge a document that the average European can understand, the answer will be no. The politicians can sign what ever they want, but the people will never endorse what they can't understand.
Brent , Philadelphia, USA

It should not be called a "Constitution" which sends the wrong signals to Eurosceptics. Perhaps something like "Memorandum of Association" or Articles of Association of Member States" Maybe a bit cumbersome, but the EU is not yet a country in its own right. However, I do believe that a fudged version of the Constitution will be agreed.
Duncan, Port Vila, Vanuatu (Brit is Pacific)

The constitution should be easily understood even by schoolchildren Miguel Gonzalez, California, USA

The constitution should be easily understood even by schoolchildren in civics class, much the same way the American constitution is. The convoluted nature of the European constitution mirrors the bureaucratic nightmare the whole EU is in it's current state.
Miguel Gonzalez, California, USA

A sensible agreement which will allow the enlarged EU to function effectively as a trading bloc, while frustrating the more manic federalists. The only people in the UK who would want to block this by voting against it in the planned referendum are the self-proclaimed "wreckers".
Chris, Paris (Brit in France)

I don't think there will be any real problems. Britain and some other countries may grumble, but all will most likely go along with it. And meanwhile, smaller countries like my own, will probably concede more power to the 'bigger', more 'important' nations.
Jason Robinson, Dublin, Ireland

I am both optimistic and hopeful that a new EU constitution will be hammered out, in the end! It is in the interests of all member-states, old and new, to fashion a new constitution. The EU isn't a superstate, it's a trading bloc, and a loosely defined one at that! There are two EU states on the UN Security Council, France and the UK, both are free to exercise their own national interests!
Peter Bolton, US

Europe is full of politicians, level after level of administration Mark, Madrid Spain

The European Union is ridiculous. The 'Parliament' will be increased to 750 politicians. Each has a budget of 200,000 for an assistant. And then X hundred Euros for each trip, much more than it costs. The bill is millions and millions. Yet if you looked at what the European Parliament has achieved in terms of improving anything in Europe (peace, economy, productivity, etc) it looks as if they have improved nothing !! Sure Europe gives money to say build a bridge, but perhaps 10% is added to the cost by the money going via Brussels. Europe is full of politicians, level after level of administration. Town council, parliament of 'country' (Scotland, Wales, Andalusia etc), then the government of overall country (Britain, Spain etc) and then another parliament in Brussels (and then of course the UN at global level for some things). Yet the administrations are ineffective and they don't talk to the people. People don't trust, or have faith in, the politicians.
Mark, Madrid, Spain

This is all about control. The French will always want their selection to become President, or head of the EU financial institution. If the UK stays out of Europe, then it will only have it's own politicians to deal with. Why add another layer of government? This will only add to the tax burden. Unless of course, there is a plan to disband national governments eventually. Get out now, before it becomes too late.
Dave, Rudyard, England

It may come as a big surprise, but the British Empire doesn't exist any more Ronald Rens, Brecht, Belgium

The UK should leave the EU. The British do have the right to disagree with almost everything that Europe stands for, they do have the right to refuse the euro, to follow slavishly the US, to try to boss it over the rest of Europe, and generally to be THE anti-Europeans. But please have the decency to leave. We can do without you, we don't need you, and we don't want you. It may come as a big surprise, but the British Empire doesn't exist any more. You're just another small country amongst other small countries. Finally, this rhetorical question : how many languages besides his own does the run-of-the-mill Englishman speak ? In my region the answer is : four.
Ronald Rens, Brecht, Belgium

Reply to Ronald Rens, sorry to disappoint you but the EU needs the UK more than the UK needs to EU especially on the financial side as we are the second largest contributor. We have a seat on the UN security council, member of G8 group etc. We might be a small country physically but internationally our standing is high.
Paul, Winchester, England

I find it hard to understand why the UK needs to be a part of the EU especially since countries like Korea, China and Japan seem to sell amazing amounts of product in Europe without being part of the EU. However, being British I am interested in the opinions of others, so if anyone actually knows why the UK is part of the EU I'd be interested to hear your explanations.
Peter, Durham, UK

A transparent constitution will make issues, institutions and decisions clearer. That would remove the reasons that the British have been moaning about for decades and it is exactly that what bothers anti-Europeans in Britain. A good constitution would urge them to sicken their own government instead of the European Union.
Frank, Luxembourg

I think the constitution isn't necessary for Europe. Poland had the first constitution in Europe (1791), but Great Britain has none till now. And GB is much stronger then Poland.
Milosz, Warsaw, Poland

If it is not, and the UK's irrational "Europhobia" continues, my wife and I have already agreed a course of action - we shall move to another EU nation, ditch our worthless UK citizenship, and continue living in peace as Europeans, rather than be part of a nation of xenophobes and racists. Good riddance!
Ian Lowe, Scotland, UK

One of the biggest motley crowds of liars, posers and play actors ever gathered together in one place Dave Cusson, Houston USA

Of course, there has to be agreement, we are talking about politicians and bureaucrats, all with an eye for the main chance. One of the biggest motley crowds of liars, poseurs and play actors ever gathered together in one place. Why is it so difficult to get rid of them?
Dave Cusson, Houston USA

I think the constitution will be agreed upon eventually. As an American, I think it is wonderful another nation-state will be as powerful as us to act as a check to our power. Our corrupt politicians (aka Mr. Bush) need to get a reality check: the EU is coming out!
Joey, Tionesta PA, USA

What a waste of our money. European politicians massaging their egos. If they can't agree who can be the "leader" without getting into school-yard fights what hope is there that they will do anything to benefit Europe?
Phil, Hants, UK

The divergent views in the EU make it impossible to agree on anything Irwin Bross, Amherst NY USA

What does the EU in disarray over a new head tell you? It tells you that whenever there is an opportunity for the expression of the views of the membership, the divergent views in the EU make it impossible to agree on anything.
Irwin Bross, Amherst NY USA