Peter Hain, Tony Blair’s envoy to the European (constitutional) Convention, continues to claim that the text is little more than a “tidying-up exercise”. The Telegraph reports that “Hain said Westminster journalists did not seem to understand that every country would have a veto on the new constitution and be able to force major changes before the text ever became treaty law.” This is a nonsense argument, and Hain knows it. Journalists understand full well that national governments can veto the provisions of this constitution *before* it comes into effect, but it’s what happens *after* it is enacted that counts.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph gives an update on the ‘constitution’s’ progress. Judge for yourself if it’s just “tidying-up”.