As a result, this collection of 105 politicians from the current and future EU member states was drawn together to draw up the treaty. MPs, MEPs and representatives of national governments and of the European Commission are present as well as the former French president, Val? Giscard d'Estaing, who, with his presidium of close advisers, chairs the assembly. In case you hadn't noticed, the convention has already been sitting for more than a year.Who will decide on the final plan? Heads of government M. Giscard wants to present them with an agreed text from his convention. He knows that, if he has to present a list of options instead, it will be easier for prime ministers to tear up his work and start again They could, in theory, do that any way although M.

Giscard is trying to craft a document that is largely acceptable to most countries as well as to the convention. The plan is for European leaders to see his final draft at a summit in Greece next month. In September or October, EU nations will start negotiating on it. And EU leaders are expected to sign off on the constitution next Spring at the latest. In other words, this will run and run for a while.Will there be a referendum in Britain? Not if the Government has anything to do with it.

It is up to member states to decide how to ratify the new constitution. Britain says the subject matter is too technical for a popular vote to be carried out. But several countries (such as Ireland and probably France) are expected to hold a referendum. So why not us, the Eurosceptics ask? The answer may have something to do with the Daily Mail and The Sun.Will it give EU law primacy over British law?Yes.