The red line turns yellow

May 19, 2004
Wednesday

The red line turns yellow

Brian Micklethwait (London) European Union

(0)

We never saw this coming, did we?

The Government signalled yesterday that it was willing to breach the first of its "red line" safeguards on the European constitution by agreeing to cede Britain's veto over sensitive areas of criminal justice.
The shift in policy raises fears that Brussels could acquire the power to interfere with the common law tradition of habeas corpus, trial by jury, and rules of evidence.

Whereas, until today, nobody had ever thought that possible.

I remember once defining "compromise" as you doing something I want, and in exchange me doing something else I want. Which makes me a bit like the EU. What a horrible thought. Eeeeuuuu!!!

Comments

"raises fears that Brussels could acquire the power to interfere with the common law tradition of habeas corpus, trial by jury, and rules of evidence"

No those arent the areas I'm most afraid of interference in - its the EU's attacks pm freedom of speech - in particular it's criminalisation of "ists" that is the greatest danger..

Posted by Giles at May 20, 2004 12:56 AM

power to interfere with the common law tradition of habeas corpus, trial by jury, and rules of evidence

Of course now Blunkett has done all of this already the Government doesn't see it as a problem.

Posted by Jonathan L at May 20, 2004 06:36 AM

Too bad the Brits won't just tell the EU to f*** off! If that does happen I'll be laughing my head off.

Posted by David Beatty at May 20, 2004 02:22 PM

"the EU. What a horrible thought. Eeeeuuuu!!!"

Now there is a slogan if ever I saw one.

Posted by Bernie at May 21, 2004 12:00 AM

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