The clear "Yes-vote" of the Spaniards in favor of the European Constitution is an encouraging signal for the next referendums in France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, said Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Euro-MP for the East Midlands.
The great support of the Spanish people for a strong and democratic EU would strengthen Spain's political position in the European Union.
Bill said: "The experience of the Spanish referendum campaign should be used in other countries. The comprehensive information policy of the Spanish government, the involvement of the main political parties and the active participation of civil society, including sports personalities and artists made an important contribution to the success of the referendum.
The governments of the other member states should follow the Spanish example and make informing the citizens their priority. The European institutions - and in particular the European Commission - should make greater efforts to explain the contents of the Constitution to the people."
Bill criticized the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who had called on the Commission not to spend a single Euro in Great Britain on information about the Constitution. According to EuroBarometer opinion surveys, the British population is the least informed about the EU and its Constitution. "This is not to the credit of the political leaders in London," he said.
Contact: Bill Newton Dunn: + 44 (0) 7939 250473 or Christina Meinshausen: +33 (0) 388 177 712
Press Release from
Bill NEWTON DUNN MEP
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY PARTY