Doubt over legal status of Lisbon guarantees

THERE is still huge uncertainty over whether guarantees regarding neutrality, abortion and taxation will be attached as protocols to the Lisbon treaty – a key demand of the Government for re-running the referendum.

The Government has finally unveiled a full list of guarantees it wants from the EU. Its draft also sets out exactly what the Lisbon treaty does and does not do, in an effort to allay concerns that it would create an EU army, lead to conscription, allow other countries to set our tax rates, and force the country to adopt liberal abortion laws.

All member states are willing to make them legally binding, and point out they have international treaty status when agreed by the 27 heads of state.