The Independent, 1st October 2007
EU Reform Treaty is good for business
Sir: It is not only progressives who should back the Reform Treaty but anyone who wants to see the EU function effectively (Letters, 25 September). This includes many in the business community who would like to see the EU move on from inwards-facing debates to meet the great global challenges.
An EU of 27 member states has already shown leadership on combating climate change, it has created the largest economic bloc in the world and it must continue to develop economically, environmentally and in other areas such as energy security and counter-terrorism. Those who talk about a fundamental transfer of power should be confident that, after the ratification of the Reform Treaty, the Queen will still sit on the throne, the Bank of England will still set interest rates, the Treasury will still set taxes and the government will still be able to decide to declare war.
In some quarters, there is an allergy to any European agreement. One could quip and argue that the only European Treaty that would satisfy some people is one that sets out the procedure for withdrawal. It is a rich irony that one of the provisions of the Reform Treaty does exactly that.
Mr Roland Rudd
Chairman, Business for New Europe,
London EC2