The matter is thus one of intention, persuasion, and of finding common cause on the part of the party advocating change. Whilst there are serious difficulties posed by the doctrine of the acquis communautaire and by Section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972, refusal to attempt renegotiation is the counsel of despair. You need time, but step by step as in the Austrian case the European Commission takes a political decision and behaves like a growing government. The 1971 White Paper held that abandoning the veto would imperil the very fabric of the Community . Indeed, if Member States are to coexist harmoniously, they must retain and, given the Amsterdam and Maastricht treaties, in some cases repatriate control over matters effecting vitally their national interests.
Unanimity means either complete paralysis or reducing everything to the lowest common denominator.
It is simply a non-starter in today s world. Dissociating the UK from EMU projects requires renegotiation of the treaties from which these projects derive by whichever party is in power. Given that the Conservative Party aims to save the pound , however, we especially must prepare for renegotiation by preparing specific amendments to the whole Treaty on European Union well before the next IGC in December. If we do not, we will be left with a message on Europe without substance. This issue transcends the fact of the Party having, collectively and individually, signed and voted for the Maastricht Treaty.