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		Berlin Declaration Plenary Speech - Wednesday, 13th March 2007 Mr. President, This Berlin Declaration fails to recognise that the EU is making us poorer, and less democratic, and less free. It also evades the one huge issue that is really exercising heads of government across the EU. It is the elephant in the room, and it is called the European Constitution. In 2005, the peoples of France and Holland voted decisively against the EU Constitution, and in its own terms it should therefore be dead, finished, kaput. But like Dracula or Frankenstein, it refuses to lie down. Our President-in-Office, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, without a backward glance at the voters of France and Holland, is determined to bring it back in all its essentials. We know what the plan is, and we shall make sure the people know. First, the Council will take out all the elements which cause offence, but are merely re-statements of the status quo. Why upset the voters with talk of the supremacy of EU law, when that supremacy already exists de facto? The very word "Constitution" has caused alarm in itself, so they will say it is "Merely a Treaty", or even "a Mini-Treaty". Then they will use every possible device of procedure, and national constitutional law, and timing, to ensure that no referenda take place, or take place only in small countries when all the large countries have ratified. Already we see the Labour government in Britain softening up the public before they break their solemn pledge to hold a referendum. "It is only about administrative details" they will say. "It doesn't justify a referendum". We boast about being a Union of Values based on democracy and the rule of law, yet in this process we show breathtaking contempt for the people and their views. We are trampling on their identity and aspirations. We are defying democracy and the rule of law. But you can't fool all of the people all of the time. When the back-lash comes, as it surely will, it will sweep away this failing European project.