'Time for a rethink on the way ahead' - Evans

Commenting on the French people's rejection of the EU Constitution in yesterday's referendum, Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader Jill Evans MEP, is calling on EU leaders to respect the verdict of the French people and to rethink the way ahead for any EU Constitution.

Speaking from Brussels, Ms Evans said:

"The French people have spoken loud and clear and in great numbers - their verdict must be respected. This result is a wake up call for European leaders and a clear signal of popular unease with what's being proposed.

Plaid Cymru is a pro European party and we agree that better arrangements are needed to run an EU of twenty five states, but we are seeing that this draft constitution is not standing up to popular scrutiny.

Europe's decision making has to get right down there to the local communities to ensure that people do have a voice in shaping this new Europe. The Convention which drew up this Constitution was supposed to reflect the views of the people of Europe, but the French vote and the likely Dutch "No" vote show that they weren't listening enough to what real people had to say.

The plan before us in this Constitution is not our vision of what Europe should be or how it should develop. It could be a small step forward, but basically leaves power in the hands of the member states and unelected Brussels bureaucrats. It makes only passing reference to other levels of government such as our own National Assembly and this is a regrettable missed opportunity to spread real democracy at all levels throughout the EU."

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