PRESIDENT BLAIR

The Constitutional Convention, under the chairmanship of former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, has just published its preliminary draft of a "Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe." The constitution has already sent shivers down the spine of many British Conservatives who rightly see the proposals as pushing Europe towards the creation of a federal superstate.

The final recommendations from this shadowy organisation will emerge in June, but already one of the suggestions contained within the draft Constitution has certainly started tongues wagging in Brussels and Strasbourg and led to some interesting speculation in the press. Article 15 of the Constitution recommends the creation of a new post of President of the European Council.
 
Such a person would be no mere figurehead. The President of the United States of Europe would be immensely powerful, standing shoulder to shoulder with George W Bush and Vladimir Putin.

And who are the contenders for the lofty new post of EU President? Well this is where the EU rumour mill springs into overdrive. The three key names being mentioned are José María Aznar, the Prime Minister of Spain, Martti Ahtisaari, the former Prime Minister of Finland and, surprise, surprise, none other than our very own Prime Minister, Tony Blair! Although highly regarded as a candidate from one of the EU's 'small' countries, Mr Ahtisaari can be ruled out as a serious contender.

Now Tony Blair's chances would be greatly enhanced if he delivers the UK into the Eurozone following a successful referendum – so will he take the risk?

The glittering prize certainly makes it worthwhile, for him, if not for us. But if the British people were to give up the pound one remaining obstacle could stand in his way – Jose Maria Aznar. 

But it seems as if Tony may have found a way to win his support. For those who have wondered for some time why Mr Blair, the New Labour evangelist, seems so cosy in the company of Mr Aznar, the Spanish Conservative, then they need look no further. And for those who would suggest that perhaps Gibraltar and the UK fishing industry have been offered to Mr Aznar in exchange for his support for the Blair Presidency.......well, I couldn't possibly comment!

 

SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS

Another bizarre tale has emerged from the dusty annals of EU rules and regulations. Apparently back in 1999, European Standard BS EN 11 76 was introduced and has remained largely unnoticed until a few weeks ago. The regulation deals with the safety of playground equipment and, in typical European Commission fashion, sets out the exact dimensions and standards for swings, roundabouts and slides. Last week, a safety officer in England dusted off his set of regulations and ordered the closure of a village swing park in Wiltshire. He said that the swing frame was 60 cm (2 ft) higher than the 3 m (10 ft) limit demanded by Brussels. Any item of equipment more than five years old can also be condemned under these draconian rules.

Now that a safety officer has taken this action, local authorities throughout the UK are examining their playgrounds to see if they breach the regulations. Although the standards are not enforceable by law, insurance companies could refuse to pay out in the event of an accident, leaving nervous councillors eager to comply.  Frankly, I sometimes wonder how any of us survived our childhood in the days before Britain joined the EU and provided an army of Brussels bureaucrats to look after our interests!

 

COMIC FIGURE (Irina Vega)

It seems that I have a new colleague in the European Parliament.  She is glamorous and young but her nationality is uncertain.  She has just exposed a corrupt chemical company and braved death threats in order to champion legislation guaranteeing the purity of European water.  And her name is Irina Vega.

Never heard of her, you may say.  And until recently, neither had I.  And the reason?  Because she doesn’t exist.  She is an invention.  Irina is the heroine of a 32 page comic called Troubled Waters, produced by the European Parliament in an attempt to transform its image and to teach young people about what we are all doing in Europe on their behalf.

The hope is, apparently, that Irina can overcome the parliament’s rather negative image which saw turnout in the North West in the last European elections plunge to under 20%.  But just in case this book comes your way, and you get the idea that the parliament is full of exciting and dramatic events all the time, please remember the advice from Juana Lahousse-Juarez, the Director of Communications of the European Parliament, who reassuringly reminds readers that “the adventures related are pure fiction”.  

Although I am keen to make more people aware of the work of the European Parliament, I am not at all convinced that this is the best use of European taxpayers’ money.