If At First You Don't Succeed... Jack Straw tries an end run

There's been a lot of talk on the blogosphere to the effect that the EU Constitution is dead. But don't jump to conclusions.

The Scotsman reports:

PARTS of the European Union constitution could still be implemented, even though there will be no British referendum on the treaty, the government conceded yesterday.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, made the revelation as he confirmed to MPs that the government believes the rejection by French and Dutch voters last week effectively renders the treaty defunct, although he stopped short of saying so explicitly.

So here's the deal. In the wake of the French and Dutch votes it is going to be impossible for the Europhiles to impose the EU Constitution on Britain through a referendum process. So they're going to try to sneak much of it in by other means.

[A]t the same time as insisting that there was now "no point" in proceeding with the promised British referendum, Mr Straw risked fresh controversy by arguing that some elements of the constitution could - and should - be implemented anyway.

The way it would work is this:

Some EU leaders have called for selected aspects of the constitution to be implemented through simple modifications to existing European rules. That would avoid the legal need for referendums or parliamentary votes to ratify a new treaty, but would expose the European establishment to accusations of ignoring the will of the electorate.

See, that's how it works. You just change the rules a bit -- no need for any of that messy democracy stuff.

Of course, they're not going to get away with it. Both Labour and Conservative MP's immediately challenged Straw and charged that he was trying to subvert democratic principles.

In the face of strong opposition Straw retreated and equivocated.

As well as declining to give an unequivocal answer on the "backdoor" option, Mr Straw also steered well clear of openly declaring the constitution is now dead.

This, of course, opened him to ridicule from all sides. Straw's in a difficult place. If he agrees that the treaty is dead, it causes problems for British diplomats dealing with France and Germany. If he tries to push for acceptance of the constitution he opens himself and the government to ridicule. So, he's acting like a weasel.

Right now it doesn't look as though the Constitution can be revived, but don't be too sure. There are lots of under the table machinations being considered, and the fight is far from over.

Read it here and here.