And so today the European constitution finally becomes a reality. Whilst the signing ceremony puts the cart before the horse in that national parliament’s still need to ratify the treaty before it comes into effect, today is a symbolic step on the way to this document coming into force. More importantly, that the symbols, today also demonstrates that the European Union is fundamentally dislocated from the people it claims to represents.
A union, set up to be an economic institution, no longer recognises the voice of its own people. Having asked if we wanted the provisions contained within this document, whatever it be called, and firmly been told “non” by the people of Europe, the union ploughs on, deaf to the answer.
Instead, the union functionaries and sympathetic national leaders will spin the document in a different way to each country; determined to force it through by whatever means.
We cannot be scared off fighting this one because of “the wrong image”. It is not simply a fight about the constitution or treaty (leaving aside the argument about broken promises on a referendum domestically). It is a fight about making the leaders of Europe listen to and engage with the clearly expressed will of its people.
If Europe is going to become relevant and prove its own worth it must fulfil its duty to listen to the people it claims to represent.
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The question you ask is answered simply – yes, as long as it sticks to being an economic self-help block. It will eventually implode if it keeps trying to up its powers and subjugation of the individual states.