Lisbon Treaty — Parliamentary approval required for any future changes made to the Treaty of Lisbon — rejected — 19 May 2008 at 20:12
The majority Not-Contents rejected an amendment[1] to the European Union (Amendment) Bill. This would have sought to ensure that Parliament would be able to scrutinise any future amendments to the Treaty of Lisbon made by the government and, in particular, any amendments that could have a direct effect on UK laws. However, it was defeated.
In moving the amendment Lord Hunt of Wirral explained that:[2]
- 'References to the European Community are to be replaced with references to the European Union. On the face of it, that seems a simple process, until one looks at the context in which all these changes are to be made. Looking at the speeches of many Members of the other place, one is concerned about how wide-ranging these changes might become and about the wonderful law of unintended consequences. There is therefore a good case for Parliament to be involved in scrutinising the changes.'
However, Lord Bach argues that:[3]
- 'This order-making power is necessary to avoid any legal uncertainty as a result of changes to terminology. The negative resolution procedure is appropriate in this case. Otherwise each House would have to approve every single such consequential change. We believe that we have got it right. Clause 3 avoids that exhaustive—not to say exhausting—exercise. As a safeguard against the unlikely event that this or a future Government would try to exceed the very limited power to make orders set out in the clause, it is clearly provided that any orders are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.'
The European Union (Amendment) Bill implements the Lisbon Treaty into UK law. The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to[4]:
- Streamline EU institutions
- Establish a permanent President of the European Council (as of 16 March 2010 held by Herman Van Rompuy)
- Establish the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (as of 16 March 2010 held by Catherine Ashton)
- Give new powers to the EU over justice and home affairs
- Remove the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid
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- [1] Lord Hunt of Wirral, House of Lords, 19 May 2008
- [2] Lord Hunt of Wirral, House of Lords, 19 May 2008
- [3] Lord Bach, House of Lords, 19 May 2008
- [4] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010
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