On 29 March, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair came under fire from MPs in the House of Commons following a briefing on the outcome of the EU summit (25-26 March). Mr Blair has expressed his political commitment, together with the leaders of 24 current and new Member States, to try to come to an agreement on the Constitution by the next European Council in June (see also EurActiv, 26 March 2004).

Opposition leaders are demanding a referendum on the EU Constitution on the grounds that the adoption of the text as it stands would represent 'a loss of British sovereignty'. Tory leader Michael Howard led the onslaught accusing Mr Blair of trying to "bounce" the UK into the Constitution before the next general election to be held in 2005, according to several British newspapers.

The Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, said that "if the new revised constitution which emerges from the further discussions does involve constitutional implications, then a referendum would be the right way to go".

Mr Blair said that no fundamental changes would be made on a scale that would require a referendum. He indicated that the UK would insist on its right of veto on its 'traditional red line issues', which include tax, social security and criminal justice, as well as defence and foreign policy.

If all goes to plan, the Constitutional Treaty will be agreed by June 2004. It will then need to go through a legal revision after which the ratification process could begin in the autumn.

by EurActive