Unionist warning over 'European superstate'

The EU constitution is yet another attempt to create a European superstate, the Ulster Unionists insisted today.

In his party’s manifesto for the June 10 European Parliament election, Jim Nicholson, who is defending a seat, warned the British government the Ulster Unionists would oppose any move to take away powers from the UK unnecessarily.

While welcoming Tony Blair’s commitment to a referendum on the constitution, Mr Nicholson said the UUP would oppose over-regulation and harmonisation measures in key areas where Westminster would be the best judge.

“The people should have their say when it is agreed, not when it suits Labour’s electoral interests,” Mr Nicholson argued.

“An EU constitution might have been useful if it just consolidated existing treaties. In reality, it is yet another attempt to create an EU superstate.”

Mr Nicholson’s manifesto, which was launched at Belfast’s Ormeau Baths Galley, also opposed any move to adopt the euro in the United Kingdom, arguing it had had a negative impact on those countries that had already joined.

The UUP candidate said the surrender of control over interest rates, exchange rates and tax policy to Europe struck against the basic concept of democracy.

He also claimed the experience of Eurozone members was that its adoption would be an excuse to raise prices, while other parts of Europe had seen unemployment rise as a consequence.

The UUP manifesto also:

:: Resisted the idea of a European Police Force and European arrest warrants but called for sensible co-operation in the fight against terrorism and international crime;

:: Supported controlled immigration but insisted the abuse of asylum laws should not be tolerated;

:: Demanded more financial support for small to medium enterprises;

:: Called for the creation of a Single Market Ombudsman to tackle barriers to free trade and enable Northern Ireland businesses to compete on a level playing field;

:: Backed the creation of a Trans-Atlantic Market by 2015, embracing the European Union and United States;

:: Insisted the British Department of Agriculture should be more questioning of Brussels regulations and called for the development of a Regional Food Policy;

:: Demanded more national and regional control over fisheries policy, warning that EU policies were endangering the future of the province’s fishing fleet in Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass;

:: Called for tougher border controls to prevent illegal and unsafe products entering the food chain in the UK;

:: Proposed the end of state aid to airlines and a greater liberalisation of the industry;

:: Demanded an improvement in road and rail services, with shorter travel times within Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland.