European Labour policy
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Harrington
To: Jeremy Millard, LICC Secretary
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2004 1:37 PM
Subject: European Labour policy
Dear Jeremy,
I'm an LI member living in Strasbourg.
The decision of our Prime Minister to announce a change of policy on a referendum over the proposed Euro Constitution
has caused me to write this E-mail.
It obviously caused some consternation here in France and I understand in other countries, as no one was consulted
and previously the French have given the Germans an assurance that they would ratify in the same way. You may know
the German constitution forbids referenda after its use by the Nazis. Here in Strasbourg Tony's announcement was
front page on the local paper (DNA). So the impact is strong on the continent as well as at home. This is also
reflected in Tony's article in 'Le Monde' on 29/4/2004 and President Chirac's press conference yesterday and the
French Foreign
Minister's remarks this morning.
The decision having been made I feel it important that those of us who live and work on the continent have an input
at home, through the party and perhaps in campaigning terms, and also to present to our sister parties a pro-european
face.
I was wondering whether you could identify all the members in the 15 plus the 10 new coutries, hopefully by E-mail,
which could be consulted on their attitudes to the European project and come to a consensus, perhaps at this year's
conference, on a pro-europe message to complement the various organisations that will coalesce around the 'Yes'
campaign in Britain.
This would, obviously, complement the PM's own position and provide a tool to use against the tories and euro-sceptics
in our own party. Timing and use of any Euro based members could complement existing structures and be used as
Democrats abroad and Republicans abroad are used by the Americans, at present very active in the run-up to the
American elections.
I float this idea with you and would be willing to spend some time compiling a survey and compiling the results
for the LICC and the membership as a whole.
Please lt me know what you think and keep up the good work.
Best wishes
Paul Harrington
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