Lisbon Treaty — Exclude the European Court of Justice from extending its power without authorisation — rejected — 26 Feb 2008 at 23:00

The majority No voters rejected an amendment^[1] to the European Union (Amendment) Bill that sought to limit the powers of the European Court of Justice. The Aye-voters were especially concerned by the "accumulation in power and judicial authority of the European Court of Justice, and the diminution in power of the national Parliaments."^[2]

However, Jim Murphy MP argues that:^[3]

• '...the EU has only those powers that the member states give it through treaties, and that everything else remains with member states. It sets out the relationship between the EU and member states, making it clear that powers are given to the EU by member states, not the other way around. It makes it clear that member states are the masters of the treaties, as the German constitutional court has put it.'

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] William Cash MP, House of Commons, 26 February 2008
• [2] William Cash MP, House of Commons, 26 February 2008
• [3] Jim Murphy MP, House of Commons, 26 February 2008
• [4] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010

Debate in Parliament | Source |