Knowledge Centre
22nd January 2008
FSB lobbies MPs over EU Treaty
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has joined the Conservatives and the Daily Telegraph in calling again for a UK referendum on the European Union (EU) Reform Treaty.
The move coincides with the Second Reading by MPs in the House of Commons.
On signing the Treaty, the British government secured a written guarantee that it could not be used by the European Court of Justice to alter UK employment law in any way. However, some legal experts claim this guarantee may be ineffective.
In response to the perceived risk, the FSB is lobbying to protect small businesses from what it sees as the potential red tape involved, if UK law were to be changed as a result of the Reform Treaty.
According to a web poll conducted in December 2007, FSB members voted 'yes' with a majority of 90% when asked: "Do you believe that the UK Government should hold a referendum to find out the views of the UK electorate on the EU's Reform Treaty?"
However, the FSB has a membership of over 210,000 and the poll received only 2,772 responses - fewer than 2% of members.
FSB Policy Chair John Walker said: "Today MPs must listen to the views of small businesses when debating this Bill. The Treaty makes the Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding. We are deeply concerned that despite the guarantee, the UK's position is open to legal challenge."
The move coincides with the Second Reading by MPs in the House of Commons.
On signing the Treaty, the British government secured a written guarantee that it could not be used by the European Court of Justice to alter UK employment law in any way. However, some legal experts claim this guarantee may be ineffective.
In response to the perceived risk, the FSB is lobbying to protect small businesses from what it sees as the potential red tape involved, if UK law were to be changed as a result of the Reform Treaty.
According to a web poll conducted in December 2007, FSB members voted 'yes' with a majority of 90% when asked: "Do you believe that the UK Government should hold a referendum to find out the views of the UK electorate on the EU's Reform Treaty?"
However, the FSB has a membership of over 210,000 and the poll received only 2,772 responses - fewer than 2% of members.
FSB Policy Chair John Walker said: "Today MPs must listen to the views of small businesses when debating this Bill. The Treaty makes the Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding. We are deeply concerned that despite the guarantee, the UK's position is open to legal challenge."
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