Europe. *sigh*

We have another European treaty. The prospect fills me with dread, but not for the reason you think.

Now we face the inevitable ranting, frothing at the mouth and sundry lunacy.

Truth is, this Treaty doesn’t seem that big a deal compared to other treaties we’ve had. You read the propsals and they’re.. well, they’re dull.

Am I passionate about a the creation of a high representative on Foriegn policy, when policy has to be unanimous for them to do anything. Naah.

Am I excited about a President of the European council being in office for 30 months not six, and being chosen rather than rotation? Not really.

Am I terrified about losing the National Veto in Space Policy and Tourism? Nope.

Perhaps I’m a traitor, as the Sun has it, but the various summaries I’ve read of the Treaty (I’ve only got to page 50 of the actual text so far. Since sentences like “renumber article 10 as article 11, and inserting in line four the following…” tend to make my eyes glaze over. ) don’t seem to be.. well all that big a deal. Trouble is, that’s not the basis for the political debate.The political debate is about “Europe” and can there be any less attractive a proposition to tie your politics to? I’m not talking about the rights and wrongs of the arguments, but the political argument, ugly and crude as it often is.

What you have with “Europe” is the image of a bunch of foriegners telling you what you should do, mostly people you’ve never heard of and don’t like when you find out about them, who seem to spend their time telling you off or scolding you.

Oh and you get to vote for a parliament, but then no-one knows what happens in the parliament afterwards.

Oh, and the rules seem to come from nowhere and take ages to do anything about things you do care about.

“Europe” as a political proposition manages the amazing feat of being tedious, scary and irrelevant.

So the political problem with Europe isn’t fundamentally a constitutional problem, it’s a problem of perception an relevance.

Now, that’s not to say that the Reform treaty isn’t needed in terms of making Europe work. That’s what it’s designed to do, and I’ll leave that to people who actually know about managing the interests of 27 different countries.

What I mean is that for Europe to make any progress for the concept of a “Europe” that is more than just the rules to support a free trade area and a currency we’re not a part of.

For it to be an institution that is if not liked, then at least seen as useful, then it needs to focus on the concerns of it’s citizens not it’s managers.So, let’s get theis treaty out of the way and get on with the business of making Europe relevant to the issues that people care about. Personally i’d like to know how Europe will help cut crime, help build economic stability and open markets, help prevent terrorism and provide a sensible solution to immigration issues.