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MEP slams move on European anthem and flag

20 December 2007

Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has slammed a proposal, before the European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee, for the Parliament to espouse and use on official occasions the European anthem and flag, despite the exclusion of such symbols from the Reform Treaty.

Speaking in Brussels Mr Allister said:-

"The Parliament wants these symbols for one reason only, to inflate its ego and attach the trappings of statehood to the EU.  I have a much better anthem and flag, thank you very much, and I'm not about to trade them for these tawdry baubles of Euro-federalism.

"Ode to Joy" may be a very nice tune, but it means less to the average European citizen, particularly the average British citizen, than "Jingle Bells". Though like "Jingle Bells" it heralds a fantasy, the fantasy that the EU is good for you, but unlike "Jingle Bells" it will damage your national sovereignty and right to control your own destiny! More "Code to Destroy" than "Ode to Joy".

This proposal exposes the insatiable fanaticism of Europhiles. The ink isn't dry on a Treaty which deliberately excluded these symbols, and yet here is the Parliament arrogantly insisting that they will give them official status nonetheless. And then they have the audacity to say they do this for the purpose of "reconnecting with the citizens of Europe".
 
If Europe wants to reconnect with the citizens of Europe, then show them some respect and begin by letting them have their say through referenda on the very Constitution which you are ramming down their throats. Don't talk about respect for citizens and then connive to deprive them of what they deserve most, a democratic say on their own future. My constituents don't want an EU anthem and flag, they want the right to say "yes" or "no" to a Constitution which robs their nation of further powers."

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