Lisbon Treaty — Disapproves of the government's policy towards the Lisbon Treaty with regards to climate change — rejected — 27 Feb 2008 at 16:06

The majority No voters rejected a motion criticising^[1] the Government's policy towards the Treaty of Lisbon in respect of that Treaty's provisions concerning climate change.

However, it is notable that in this instance the mainly Conservative Aye-voters appeared to be urging the "EU and the member states to do more together" to combat climate change^[2]. Accordingly, this amendment was not principally an attempt to limit power to the European Union although it did serve for some to attempt to frustrate the Government's efforts to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

The European Union (Amendment) Bill implements the Lisbon Treaty into UK law. The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to^[3]:

• 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] Peter Ainsworth MP, House of Commons, 27 February 2008
• [2] Nick Hurd MP, House of Commons, 27 February 2008
• [3] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010

Debate in Parliament | Source |