Conservatives not clear on stance on EU supremacy.
Conservatives not clear on stance on EU supremacy.
The UKIP candidate for Truro and Falmouth has quizzed the Conservative candidate for the area over the failure of the Conservatives to back a motion from Conservative MP Bill Cash which stated that Britain should have supremacy over the EU when it comes to making decisions. “This is fundamental to what people think is the Conservative stance on the EU. I think the people of Truro and Falmouth would really like to know exactly where the Conservatives do stand – it makes the whole issue of the EU referendum a small sideshow” said Corcoran.
The letters are printed below.
Glen Corcoran
Continued from front page:
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your swift response and for answering me!
I am glad that you are sympathetic to the need for a safeguard to ensure Parliament’s supremacy. In which case, surely it should be a straight answer to who has supremacy – EU or Britain? Why does that need further discussion and examination?
Perhaps you are right, that a constitutional safeguard is a sensible move. I am a simple chap, but I don’t really follow why the Conservatives could not support the motion stating that Britain should have its own supremacy over the EU, just because you believe a constitutional safeguard is a desirable requirement in the future.
I would be a little careful that the stance in your email, sadly, does draw a parallel with the LibDems avoiding a vote on the EU treaty because they tried to say that a full vote on the whole membership of the European Union was what was really needed.
That backfired on them.
It may only work for the Conservatives if voters are really that fed up with the LibDems they choose to ignore your lack of clarity at the next election.
I thank you that your email and suggestion of constitutional safeguards led me to the Conservative website. I found the choice of Kenneth Clarke to head up the Democracy Task Force absolutely hilarious!
Again, thank you for responding
Yours
Glen
Dear Glen,
Thank you for your e:mail and the opportunity to comment on why we abstained on Bill Cash’s amendment in the debate on the EU Reform treaty. We are very sympathetic to the need for a safeguard to ensure Parliament’s supremacy.
We believe that given the growth of the EU’s powers, Britain’s sovereignty and Parliament’s ultimate supremacy need a constitutional safeguard. We believe further discussion and examination of this issue is needed to ensure that we find the right formula and context to achieve exactly that goal.
Sarah Newton
PPC Truro & Falmouth
The Conservatives
Dear Sarah,
Bill Cash, a Conservative MP, recently tabled a motion in the Commons stating that the UK Parliament should be supreme over the EU Parliament with regard to decisions.
The exact motion is as follows:
“Notwithstanding any provision of the European Communities Act 1972, nothing in this Act shall affect or be construed by any court in the United Kingdom as affecting the supremacy of the United Kingdom Parliament.”
Would you care to comment as to why only 40 Conservative MPs voted in favour of this motion, and why the Tory party leadership ‘whip’ decision was not to support it?
I am sure the people of Truro and Falmouth would like to know who you feel should ultimately govern us, Westminster or Brussels.
If you reject Brussels having the ultimate authority over us as a country, I would be delighted to know how you can possibly support the current Conservative leadership’s position?”
Yours sincerely
Glen
Glen Corcoran
07968 810422
Glen.Corcoran@ukipcornwall.org.uk
UK Independence Party
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate
Truro and Falmouth Constituency
28 Lemon Street
Truro. TR1 2LS
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