That EU Veto

Slightly worrying:

Tony Blair may be preparing to abandon Britain’s veto over law and order policy in Europe on the eve of his departure from Downing Street this month, MPs fear.

What might this mean?

If the veto goes, Britain could be outvoted on a range of criminal law
matters, including hot pursuit powers for cross-border police
activities, courts procedures and data sharing.

Courts procedures? Why, might that mean trial by jury? Could it mean the use of questioning after charge? Our continental partners do not have the former and do have the latter, so both would be likely targets of "harmonization" as and when that occurs.

Well, not to worry, eh? Our own government is moving to change those laws anyway.

One response

  1. Umbongo Avatar
    Umbongo

    Is this one area where the Queen could assert herself over the use of the Royal Prerogative? I assume that if Tony signs up to this he would sign under the Prerogative not under a specific authority given by an Act of Parliament (or subsidiary legislation). Were HM to say that he had no authority to act in her name on this occasion then, contrary to the usual constitutional convention, it would certainly have no force in English law. Under EU law – who knows?

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Tim Worstall

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading