UK calls for 'reflection' after French vote
Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he was personally saddened by the rejection of the European constitutional treaty and called for a “period of reflection”.
He did not commit the British government to the referendum going ahead, leaving open the possibility that it will declare the treaty dead and announce that there is therefore no need for a vote.
“The result raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe,” said Mr Straw.
French president Jacques Chirac promised other EU states that France would continue to “play a full role and respect its various undertakings” and made clear that there was no question of it leaving the union.
“We mustn’t deceive ourselves,” he said. “France’s decision inevitably creates a difficult context to defend our interests in Europe and we have to respond by gathering together and taking into consideration what is necessary: national interest.”
EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson called for a new sense of purpose and vision in Europe and said the French “no” was only one country’s view, but it could not be ignored.
The other member states should now carry on and vote yes – and he hoped France would then help supply the necessary “statesmanship and unity” the future EU required.
Mr Mandelson said: “One country, even France, does not have a veto, but this vote cannot be ignored.
“I hope, though, that the rest of Europe votes yes to a constitutional treaty that will make the EU more effective and democratic at home and stronger in the world.
“I hope French leaders put the interests of Europe first in deciding how to deal with this setback.
“We need a renewed sense of purpose and vision in Europe, with a clear direction.
“This requires statesmanship and unity and I hope France will help supply both“.
Shadow foreign secretary Liam Fox said that the Government must immediately declare the treaty dead or call a referendum to allow Britain to make its views known.
Dr Fox said: “I think that it is very clear that this treaty does not do what the people of Europe want and I think it should be put to rest right away.”
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: “This vote clearly throws the European Union into an unprecedented state of uncertainty.
“Whilst the reasons why French voters objected to the constitution were varying and at times appeared contradictory, the scale of popular disenchantment with the European Union should be heeded by friends and foes of the EU alike.”
Lucy Powell, campaign director of Britain in Europe, said: “It is clear there were many factors at play in this referendum – domestic issues as well as concerns over enlargement and the perception that the treaty is too Anglo-Saxon. All played a role.”
Labour’s former Europe minister Denis MacShane said: “British pro-Europeans must learn the lesson of the victory for the No camp in France.”
He added: “Britain should be at the forefront of defending this European Union which must be tune with its citizens but not surrender to populism and protectionism.”
Matthew McGregor, of the No campaign against British ratification, said: “We’re delighted the French have said no – the Constitution is bad for France, bad for Britain and bad for Europe.”
Eurosceptic Conservative MP Bill Cash said: “I think there will still be a considerable desire to have a referendum in the UK, because we want to have a decisive No ourselves.
“But for practical purposes, this treaty is dead.”
Labour MP Gisela Stuart, who represented Britain in the two-year Convention which drew up the constitution text, admitted that it had gone wrong by “trying to entrench the model of 50 years ago”.
She said: “The people have spoken. It was a referendum and I think if this was the result in one of the founding states of the EU, then politicians have to take note and really look at what is the vision for Europe for the 21st century.”
UK Independence Party MEP Nigel Farage said: “What this result says clearly is that the people do not like the direction that their political class are taking them in.”
