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Kilroy says: I haven't read the boring EU constitution
EXCLUSIVE William Green Political Correspondent TV personality and MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk, pictured, may be fighting the proposed European constitution, but he has admitted not having read the entire document.
Europe's future may hinge on the constitution, but, in an exclusive interview, Mr Kilroy-Silk said he had more important things to do than spend his time reading about such a "boring subject".
Instead, the UKIP rebel and Euro-MP said he had "read what I need and know what I need to" – while warning the document could lead to a European superstate.
The 300-page constitution would create a new European Union foreign minister and president.
Britain's national veto will remain on all tax areas and for EU-level decisions on foreign policy and defence – although the EU will have the power to define and implement a common foreign and security policy.
European leaders have signed up, but the 25 member states will all have to ratify the document, which, in Britain, will be through a referendum expected in 2006.
Referring to the constitution, Mr Kilroy-Silk said: "It is not a dangerous document if you want to be submerged into Europe and be part of the European superstate. If you actually want to govern yourself by your own people and your own parliament, then it is, because the constitution is setting up a country called Europe."
But when asked if he had read the whole thing, Mr Kilroy-Silk said: "No, why would I want to do that? I can lie and say yes, can't I, but no I haven't read it.
"I have read what I need and know what I need to and I will read what I need to read. But I have got more important things to do than spend my time reading a boring subject like the European constitution."
And he said UKIP should consider putting up a candidate in the Yorkshire constituency of Shadow Home Secretary David Davis in the next general election – along with every other parliamentary seat – as it was the only way to give people the chance to vote for withdrawal from the EU. It is feared a UKIP candidate in Mr Davis's Haltemprice and Howden constituency could split the Euro-sceptic vote and allow a more pro-European MP in, because of the Tory's slim 1,903 majority.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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