While stopping short of allowing a referendum, it seems that the government does want our views on the European constitution. It has today launched an online forum designed to allow UK citizens to share their views on European issues with MPs, government ministers and officials in the lead up to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on October 5.
The site says: “This is your opportunity to feed in your thoughts as we prepare for the negotiations between EU leaders,” and promises that all entries will be monitored by the Hansard Society, which has helped to set up the forum.
Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane adds: “We’ve been negotiating treaties for centuries, always behind closed doors, but this is the first time we’ve taken that process out of smoke-filled rooms and let everyone have their say”.
Anyone can view comments on the site, but if you want to participate you will have to register.
More information and directions to the forum can be found at http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/
ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1060854374530&a=Page.