Lisbon Treaty — The UK can act on the international scene without consulting the European Council — rejected — 6 May 2008 at 19:25

The majority Not-Contents rejected an amendment^[1] to the European Union (Amendment) Bill. The amendment would have required the Foreign Secretary to make a statement to parliament explaining that he could take action on the international scene without reference to the European Council.

In moving the amendment Lord Howell of Guildford argued that:^[2]

• 'The idea that we should have to consult the European Union Council on virtually every move before we take it, even when our direct security interests are affected in a new and original way, is unacceptable.'

However, Baroness Ashton of Upholland argued that:^[3]

• 'I have already explained—Members of the Committee accept the point or they do not—that there is nothing in the treaty which restricts the freedom of Her Majesty's Government to act in the interests of the United Kingdom. The treaty does not change in any way the intergovernmental and consensus-based nature of common foreign and security policy. Member states are bound only where they have agreed policy in accordance with the provisions of the treaty.'

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 Howell of Guildford, House of Lords, 6 May 2008
• [2] Lord Howell of Guildford, House of Lords, 6 May 2008
• [3] Baroness Ashton of Upholland, House of Lords, 6 May 2008
• [4] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010

Debate in Parliament | Source |