Open Europe in the news

The trouble with markets for carbon
NY Times 23 June IHT 19 June
The New York Times and IHT looked at carbon emissions trading in Europe, quoting Open Europe's Hugo Robinson as saying, "We currently are in danger of losing yet another decade in the fight against global warming. The sheer amount of lobbying creates so much uncertainty about the way these markets operate that nobody really is investing in cleaner technologies in Europe."

Respect the Irish no vote
BBC Newsnight Channel Four News BBC 10 O'clock News BBC World Tonight BBC Today BBC Today 2 BBC World Tonight Focus Politiken 20 June
Open Europe's stunt at the EU summit in Brussels was covered on BBC Newsnight, and Open Europe was interviewed on Channel Four News, the BBC 10 O'clock News and several European channels including Belgian, Spanish and Danish TV. Pictures from the stunt were also featured in German magazine Focus and in Danish daily Politiken.

Open Europe comment pieces
Open Democracy 20 June Svenska Dagbladet 19 June EUobserver 19 June Sunday Times 15 Sunday Times 8 June
Open Europe had two more articles in a series of piecies for the Irish edition of the Sunday Times, arguing the case for a 'no' in the Irish referendum. Neil O'Brien had an article on EUobserver arguing that the EU could self-destruct if it continues ignoring voters. Mats Persson had an op-ed in Svenska Dagbladet, responding to claims in the Swedish media that Sweden would lose influence without the Lisbon Treaty. Hugo Robinson had a piece on the Open Democracy 'Our Kingdom' blog arguing that the case for respecting the Irish vote.

EU treaty should be dropped, say British voters
Telegraph Telegraph Mail Express Evening Standard 18 June
Open Europe's poll of 1,000 UK voters, which found that a majority want the Government to drop the Treaty, received coverage in the Express, Telegraph, and Mail. Open Europe was also quoted in the Telegraph and the Express, condemning the Lords' vote on the Lisbon treaty.

France proposes EU navy
Sun 18 June
Neil O'Brien was quoted saying: "The EU political elite seem to have gone mad. No one in Britain wants to hand over our Navy to corrupt Brussels officials. Gordon Brown must not go along with this."

Irish reject the Lisbon Treaty
Bloomberg NewsTalk Express Daily Mail 16 June Times Sky News LBC BBC World 15 June Sun EUbusiness Press and Journal Guardian Times New York Times IHT Mirror 14 June National Public Radio 13 June
Following the Irish 'no' vote, Open Europe was quoted in the Guardian, Sun, IHT, Mirror, Mail, Express, New York Times and several other national and international papers. Neil O'Brien appeared on Sky News, LBC and BBC World. He said, "David Miliband arrogantly says we must ratify the treaty to put forward what he calls the 'British view'. But in reality he only means the Government's view. People in Britain are overwhelmingly against the treaty." Lorraine Mullally appeared on Bloomberg and on Irish national radio NewsTalk and Mats Persson was interviewed on US-based National Public Radio.

Voters in the UK would reject the Lisbon Treaty by a margin of two to one
Mail Telegraph 14 June Express 15 June
The Telegraph, Mail and Sunday Express mentioned a new ICM poll for Open Europe, which showed that voters in the UK would reject the Lisbon Treaty by a margin of two to one.

Bullying tactics in Irish referendum campaign
BBC World Service BFM 12 June Evening Standard 11 June CNBC Europe Evening Standard 10 June
Ahead of the Irish referendum, Lorraine Mullally appeared on French radio station BFM and on CNBC Europe, and Neil O'Brien appeared on the BBC World Service. Neil was also quoted in the Evening Standard arguing that "The political elite are prepared to say anything to ensure this pet project gets through. The experience in Ireland shows that the people are far more sceptical of the project than their leaders".

New EU Justice Commissioner is a convicted fraudster
Sun 12 June
The Sun reported that the EU's new Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot is a "convicted fraudster." Open Europe was quoted saying, "To say this smacks of poacher turned gamekeeper is an understatement."

MEP expenses scandal widens
Sun 14 June Times Sun Telegraph Private Eye 11 June Sun Mail 10 June Mail News of the World 9 June
Open Europe was quoted in several articles on MEP's misuse of allowances. Neil O'Brien was quoted in the Telegraph and Times saying that there were allegations of unacceptable use of expenses against MEPs from all the main parties, and argued: "There will be a huge premium for whichever party leader can be shown to take action against sleaze in Brussels." Open Europe was also quoted in the Sun, Mail, News of the World and Private Eye.

Does Ireland really have a veto over trade deals?
BBC-Mardell 11 June
On his blog, BBC's Mark Mardell quoted Neil O'Brien arguing that Ireland does not have a veto over trade deals, despite claims by Irish PM Brian Cowen.

Lisbon Treaty could come back to haunt Government
Sunday Express 8 June
The Sunday Express quoted Open Europe saying, "Polls suggest the majority of the British public think the Government lied to them over the Treaty, so when bad things start happening, things will get very awkward for the Government. It will come back to haunt them."

Head of Conservative MEPs forced to resign in expenses scandal

BBC News at Ten Newsnight BBC online Guardian Mail Mirror Times Times 2 Times Analysis Telegraph European Voice Telegraph Martin Conservative Home Guido Guido 2 Express FT IHT Telegraph Times Sunday Times Telegraph Guido Conservative Home 1 – 6 June

Giles Chichester has been forced to resign as Conservative leader in the European Parliament after admitting breaking the rules on the use of £400,000 of his expenses. Open Europe was widely quoted in national and regional print and broadcast media, arguing "If this is serious enough to resign the leadership over, it is serious enough to warrant resigning as an MEP."

EU accused of "strong arm" tactics in Ireland

Mail 29 May

The Mail reported on Commission President Jose Barroso’s warning to Ireland ahead of the referendum in the country and Open Europe was quoted saying, "This is classic Brussels tactics. Stage one is to try to cover up what the grand project really means, then bully voters into accepting it."

Brussels’ plan for Euro police

Express 24 May

The Express reported on the allocation of EU funds to investigate the possibility of setting up a federal EU police force. Open Europe, said: “Most people in Britain would be horrified by the idea of a single European police force.”

Commission has failed to reform the CAP

Times-Maddox Mail Mail 20 May

In the Times, Bronwen Maddox argued that the Commission has “ducked the chance” to reform the CAP at a time when food prices are high and farmers can make a living from actual farming. She noted, “The Open Europe lobby group, which takes a caustic look at EU finances, is right to argue that the proposals do not reflect the sudden changes in farm finances worldwide.”

The Mail quoted Open Europe saying, “Gordon Brown has been royally stuffed…As long as we keep sending the cheques nothing in Brussels is ever going to change.”

MEPs fly 10 million miles on junkets

NOTW Wales on Sunday18 May

The News of the World reported on a study from Open Europe which estimates that overseas excursions by MEPs have cost EU taxpayers £3.1 million since 2004. Labour's Glenys Kinnock led a team of MEPs to the luxury resort of the Seychelles in April to visit the tuna fish industry. Open Europe's Hugo Robinson said "Why should we be expected to cough up millions of pounds so MEPs can travel to luxury resorts where they achieve little more than getting a suntan?” Hugo also appeared on the BBC Today programme arguing that many of the trips provided no discernible public benefit, and were effectively holidays for the MEPs concerned.

Eurozone chief attacks “social scourge” of City bonuses and vows to “combat these excesses”

BBC Radio Five 14 May

Open Europe Director Neil O’Brien appeared on BBC Radio Five ‘Drive’ arguing against EU intervention and that caps would lead people to leave the EU. He argued that similar measures had been tried in the 1970s and that they had not worked.

Euro heading for choppy waters

BBC 7 May

Open Europe was quoted on BBC Europe Editor Mark Mardell’s blog saying, “Because you have a ‘one size fits all’ monetary policy, you have a country like Spain with completely the wrong interest rate and that inevitably means bigger booms and busts, more unemployment and damage to the economy. The euro's never been stress-tested so far, but now we are heading into choppy waters." He argued that the political discussion about the UK joining the euro is over and "it will stay over".

Wobecnym ksztalcie Unia dlugo nie przetrwa

Rzeczpospolita 5 May

Polish daily Rzeczpospolita published an interview with Open Europe’s Hugo Robinson, discussing the implications of the Lisbon Treaty and the prospects for reform of the EU.

EU renewable targets will cost UK families £3,000 – more than any other Member State

Sunday Express 4 May

The Sunday Express reported that EU targets for minimum renewable use will cost every family in Britain more than £3,000, according to a report by energy consultants Poyry for the Government. Open Europe was quoted saying: “People’s electricity bills are going to soar because of this EU target. The EU have chosen the least effective and most costly way to go green and we are all going to have to pay as a result. Britain seems to have got a raw deal, paying in more than any other country while other countries will actually make money out of it.”

Irish referendum – Open Europe urges a ‘No’ vote

Irish Sunday Times - O'Brien

(Others available as PDF documents on request from rhea@openeurope.org.uk)

Over the past six weeks Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien, Paul Stephenson and Lorraine Mullally have had weekly comment pieces in the Irish Sunday Times, urging readers to vote ‘no’ to the Lisbon Treaty.

'Palace, jet and personal staff of 22' for the new EU President
Telegraph 11 April

The Telegraph reported on the discussion of new powers and perks of the future EU President. Open Europe was quoted saying, "EU politicians claim that the Lisbon Treaty will make the EU more transparent and accessible to voters, but this latest example of secretive horse-trading shows that if it ever does come into force it will be business as usual in Brussels."

France and Britain poles apart on key EU issues
Telegraph 1 April

Neil O'Brien of Open Europe had a letter in the Telegraph questioning the assertion of Roland Rudd and Sir Stephen Wall of Business for New Europe that the British and French governments share the same view of the EU. Neil wrote: "The recurring illusion that other leaders have exactly the same vision of Europe as we do - when they clearly do not - has hampered Britain in Europe for years."

Open Europe's Mats Persson appeared on Al Jazeera English discussing the extension of the Schengen area to include nine new member states.
1 April

UK contributions to EU budget set to rise from £3.3bn to £6.4bn
Telegraph Sun Mail 29 March

Several papers reported that the UK's net financial contributions to the EU will rise by almost £1 billion this year, taking the country's net contribution to more than £4 billion.. Paul Stephenson of Open Europe was quoted in the Express: "These figures just highlight the sheer level of Blair's sell-out to Brussels in 2005. It's hardly surprising that he's now the frontrunner to become the next president of the EU. Last year the EU's accountants were unable to sign off over £43bn worth of spending. Until the EU gets its house in order, Gordon Brown should refuse to send any more cheques to Brussels."

Sarkozy calls for new Anglo-French brotherhood
Newsnight (25 mins in) 27 March

On his state visit to London, Nicolas Sarkozy called for a new French-British "brotherhood" urging the two countries to "write a new page in our common history". On Newsnight, Open Europe's Neil O'Brien argued that while Sarkozy talks a good game, the reality is that his priorities are quite different to those of Gordon Brown and the UK. For example, despite his praise of globalisation and CAP reform, he is in favour of higher trade tariffs.

Harmonizing England and Europe
Town Hall 26 March

On American website Townhall, Herb London of the Hudson Institute picked up on Open Europe's recent publication "The EU and You". He noted, "This is indeed an odd historical moment. A democracy that people often take for granted is challenged by a 'soft' authoritarianism that is barely recognised by the public at large. If there was a referendum or several such referenda that would be one thing, but, in fact, most of the anticipated regulations will occur below the radar."

Peter Mandelson's days in EU post numbered
Telegraph14 March

The Telegraph reported that a House of Lords report on the Lisbon Treaty concluded that the UK does not have a watertight opt-out from the Charter of Fundament Rights. Open Europe's Neil O'Brien was quoted saying: "This report shows again that it is a significant transfer of power, that the Government have not been honest."

Referendum defeat will prove pyrrhic for EU

Our Kingdom 7 March

Writing on the Open Democracy ‘Our Kingdom’ blog, Open Europe’s Hugo Robinson argued that the Government has won a “pyrrhic victory” on the Lisbon Treaty in the Commons.

On Europe, MPs make another mistake

Telegraph Three Line Whip 6 March

The Telegraph Three Line Whip blog noted, "Open Europe, the cross-party campaign run by Neil O'Brien, was behind the push for a referendum and has played a blinder. When it seemed that nobody cared, Neil and his colleagues worked overtime to devise ways of keeping the matter in the public eye."

Call referendum to restore trust in politics

Today (9 minutes in) BBC Three Counties Radio, Al Arabia TV, Independent Radio News, Time FM 5 March Radio Talksport 4 March

Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien appeared on the BBC Today programme arguing that a referendum was essential to restore ailing trust in politics.

Lorraine Mullally was interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio and Radio Talksport, while Hugo Robinson appeared on Al Arabia TV, Independent Radio News and Time FM, discussing the need for a referendum

The ruthless politics of the Lisbon Treaty

Times 5 March

On the Times Red Box blog Sam Coates looked at Open Europe’s recent achievements, describing the organisation as “a significant force in British politics.”

Coming or going?

Guardian 26 February

Neil O’Brien had an article on the Guardian’s Comment is Free website arguing that “Nick Clegg is only calling for a referendum on ‘in or out of Europe’ to cover up the fact that he is against a referendum on the real issue in hand - the revived constitutional treaty.”

EU to investigate staff payments

Al Jazeera Express 22 February

Lorraine Mullally was quoted in the Express: "This is a disgraceful theft of taxpayers' money. It shows why EU politicians should not be given yet more powers and more money, and why we need a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty." Alistair Tebbit was interviewed about the revelations on Al Jazeera. "We are absolutely astonished at the scale", he said.

Labour EU rebels hit out at 'expulsion threat’

Telegraph 5 February

Open Europe was quoted in the Telegraph, arguing that "MPs are not shown important EU documents until it is too late to do anything about them. It makes a joke of the parliamentary process."

Unanswered questions

Irish Times 4 February

The Irish Times picked up on Open Europe’s recent briefing on the ‘unanswered questions’ which will need to be resolved after ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

MPs debate new EU energy powers in Lisbon Treaty; Government defends U-turn

Download Open Europe briefing here, read related press release here. 31 January

Yesterday MPs debated the new energy powers in the Lisbon Treaty. During the debate Secretary of State for Business John Hutton had to defend repeatedly Government support for the new energy powers following its earlier opposition to them. Open Europe’s briefing note on the new EU energy powers was cited in the debate by a number of MPs. It estimates that current EU energy policies will cost the average UK family of four £500 to £1000 a year. Additional measures which would pass under the Lisbon Treaty would raise these costs to a total of £600 to £1200 a year.

UPI: parliamentary ratification of Treaty is a “puppet show”

UPI 31 January

A comment piece on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in the UK on UPI notes that “The parliamentary ‘debate’ is a puppet show.” It argues that “Part of the problem, which is being highlighted by the industrious researchers of the very active Open Europe think tank, is that MPs and the British public are starting to realize that the Lisbon Treaty is a blank check. The treaty gives broad powers to the EU without specifying them, including the authority of the proposed new EU president and the new foreign minister and the size, budget and authority of his new EU diplomatic service.”

A blank cheque: leaked EU document reveals Government doesn't even know what it is signing up to in the Lisbon Treaty

Sunday Times Mail Open Europe press release 28 January

Paul Stephenson of Open Europe appeared on Talk 107 Radio's Sunday Review programme discussing the leaked paper. Neil O'Brien, Director of Open Europe, is quoted in the Sunday Times and the Mail. .

UK ’s top twelve think tanks

Telegraph 28 January

Open Europe were featured in a list in the Telegraph of the UK’s top dozen think tanks.

EU renewable energy targets to cost family of four in UK up to £730 a year

Mail Sun Telegraph Express Evening Standard 24 January

Open Europe’s findings that the EU’s plans for renewable targets would cost the average family of four in the UK up to £730 a year were reported in the Mail , Telegraph , Sun , Express and Evening Standard . Open Europe’s Hugo Robinson was quoted in the Telegraph : "Everyone agrees that we need big cuts in our emissions. But this is not the most cost effective way to do it. The European Commission's proposal would lead to unnecessarily high costs, particularly for poor pensioners. Biofuels targets have got almost nothing to do with helping the environment, and a lot to do with bolstering the CAP. Targets for biofuels should be dropped immediately."

Britain is EU’s lowest recipient of EU money

Sun 22 January

In the Sun Fergus Shanahan reported that "Britain now gets less money from Brussels than any of the 26 other EU states". He quoted Open Europe's Neil O'Brien saying, "Britain shovels billions into the EU which is so corrupt its own auditors haven't signed off its accounts for 13 years in a row. The money we waste in the EU could cut council tax bills in half."

Nick Clegg says Lib Dems would vote to block a referendum

BBC BBC Today Express 22 January

Open Europe is quoted on BBC Online arguing that "despite trying to distract attention by abstaining and waffling about a referendum on leaving the EU, Clegg’s real plan is to vote to deny people a referendum".

New EU asylum powers reported

Sun 21 January

The S un reported on Open Europe’s analysis that the Lisbon Treaty will give the EU extensive new powers to set up a Common European Asylum System. Open Europe was quoted saying “The new Treaty ties our hands. People will not understand why Brussels should be allowed to over-rule our politicians on an issue which will have such a big impact”. The research notes that the Commission is waiting for the Lisbon Treaty to be ratified before it launches its controversial plans.

EU targets for biofuels and renewable

FT 21 January

The FT trailed a new study from Open Europe and Europe Economics, calling on the EU to scrap targets for biofuels and renewables .

MPs vote for Blair’s budget deal – UK’s net contributions to double

Mail16 January

Open Europe was quoted in the Mail arguing that: "Britain is shovelling billions a year into the EU which wastes vast sums of money and is so riddled with fraud that its own auditors haven't signed off its accounts for 13 years in a row… Countries that are richer than Britain take money out of the EU budget while we pay billions in. It is completely unfair."

New burden on struggling police

News of the World 14 January

The News of the World reported on the EU proposal that every criminal suspect should be given an EU "letter of rights" when arrested in the UK. The article quoted Open Europe's Paul Stephenson saying, "This directive will hugely increase the administrative burden on police forces at a time when they are already struggling to cope. The increased costs of translation and transcription would mean even more resources will be focused on form-filling rather than front-line policing." Paul also appeared on the Nick Ferrari breakfast show on LBC radio to discuss the proposal.

Subsidy trading to get underway again

Aberdeen Press and Journal 7January

The Aberdeen Press and Journal reported on the resumption of EU farm subsidy auctions in Scotland later this month. It noted that Open Europe last year branded the system an absurdity after buying set-aside entitlements and quoted Paul Stephenson criticising the lax definition of farmer.

£35bn EU poverty budget 'wasted'

Mail 27 December

The Mail reported on Open Europe’s study on regional policy, which argued that much of the EU’s regional aid money is wasted. Open Europe’s Mats Persson was quoted as saying, "The absurd system where we send money to Brussels then get some of it back minus the cost of bureaucracy has got to stop. The real losers from the current system are the poorest areas.”

Health Directive causes controversy

Spectator Coffee House 20 December

Spectator Coffee House blog Fraser Nelson cited Open Europe's briefing note on the proposed Health Directive.

Scots’ treaty blow for PM

Sun 20 December

The Sun reported: “Last night the Open Europe think tank described the vote as ‘a huge embarrassment for Gordon Brown on his own turf’. A spokesman added: ‘It is now unthinkable that he can push through the constitution without a national vote.’

Brown plays down significance of 'Reflection Group'

Express Aberdeen Press and Journal 15 December

Open Europe’s Director Neil O'Brien was quoted in the Express following the establishment of an EU ‘Reflection Group’, saying: "Gordon Brown knows that the group he has endorsed will lead to yet another round of integration and more new powers for the EU. He must now rule out a further handover of powers." Neil was also quoted in Aberdeen Press and Journal.

Brown signs up to EU Constitution

Sun Sun leader Daily Mail Daily Express 13 December BBC Washington Post 14 December

Neil O'Brien was quoted in the Sun, Mail and Express arguing that "By signing us up to the rejected Constitution, Gordon Brown is giving EU courts the right to hear asylum cases. This could mean that decisions made by UK courts to deport failed asylum seekers will be overturned by Brussels." Neil also spoke on Radio 5 and appeared on Channel 4 lunchtime news, and was also quoted in the Washington Post.

EU needs to close gap between rhetoric and reality

Sydsvenskan 12 December 2007

Open Europe’s Mats Persson had an article in Swedish daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet , arguing that the decision to split December’s EU summit between Lisbon and Brussels was symptomatic of the gap between reality and rhetoric in the EU’s environmental policies.

US should not repeat EU’s mistakes on emissions trading

American Public Media 12 December 2007

Open Europe’s Hugo Robinson appeared on US radio show ‘Marketplace’ discussing the flaws in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme, warning US legislators against repeating these mistakes in their own cap-and-trade scheme.

Germany leads charge to put flag and anthem back into EU Constitution

Sun 11 December 2007

The Sun reported that 16 countries had signed up to a declaration on the importance of the EU's flag, anthem and motto which will be annexed to the EU Constitution. The paper quoted Open Europe saying, "Mr Brown pretends it isn't the EU Constitution any more because it doesn't mention the flag and anthem. But now even they are being put back in. EU leaders must think we're total idiots."

Britain to contribute £71 billion to EU over next seven years

Sunday Telegraph-Martin 10 December 2007

In the Sunday Telegraph, Iain Martin mentioned Open Europe's recent briefing on the EU budget, which showed that Britain is set to contribute £71 billion over the next seven years.

US should not make same mistakes as EU on cap and trade scheme

EE News 10 December 2007

Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien appeared on US environment and energy channel EE News discussing the failings of the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme, and urged the US not to make the same mistakes as Europe in implementing its own cap and trade scheme.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme blamed for handing huge profits to big energy companies

Guardian 5 December 2007

On the Guardian’s Comment is Free blog , David Thorpe cited Open Europe’s research, which found that the biggest energy companies have profited the most from the system.

Open Europe attacks EU budget

WSJ 21 November

Open Europe's Alistair Tebbit had an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal commenting on the EU's failure to have its accounts approved by the Court of Auditors for the 13th year in a row. He argued that "until expensive and wasteful policies such as CAP and the structural funds are brought back under national control, or scrapped altogether, we are unlikely to see any real improvement. Such sprawling, complicated top-down spending programs are always going to be vulnerable to fraud."

British attitudes to the Charter

E!Sharp 15 November

David Gow discussed the UK's attitude towards the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in E!Sharp, mentioning Open Europe's argument that the British safeguards "simply will not work".

EU accounts not signed off for 13th year in a row - £6bn of UK contributions open to fraud

Express 14 November Telegraph 15 November

The Express and the Telegraph reported on Open Europe research which found that as much as £6 billion of the UK's annual contribution to the EU is open to fraud. Open Europe's Hugo Robinson was quoted saying, "After 13 years, the EU still hasn't got its own house in order when it comes to sound book-keeping."

Increased costs and carbon emissions "the price to pay for new treaty"

Focus 14 November WSJ Daily Politics (26 mins in) 9 November Express 5 November Times 2 November

Neil O’Brien appeared on the BBC Daily Politics show criticising the "pathetic vanity" of the Belgian and Portuguese governments, accusing them of being "completely out of touch with reality" over plans to hold two summits in one day, and take flights amounting to 50,000 miles to mark the signing of the Lisbon Treaty. Neil was also quoted in the Express, Times, the Evening Standard and German magazine Focus.

Further enlargement under threat?

Economist 9 November

The Charlemagne column in the Economist noted that “For years, Neil O'Brien, director of a Eurosceptic campaign outfit, Open Europe, has asked British focus groups what the words 'European Union' bring to mind. In the past, the reply has usually been red tape and gravy trains. But his most recent focus group offered a new word: 'immigration'."

EU farm reform will do nothing for farmers in developing world

Telegraph 9 November

Neil O'Brien was quoted in the Telegraph. Saying that the Commission’s proposals to change the CAP “will change very little - not a single euro will be cut from the CAP budget."

FSAP eroding City's competitiveness

Business 8 November Business 1 November

The Business noted that “A report from Open Europe, another well-regarded London think tank, estimates that the Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP), Brussels' new regulatory system for the industry, will involve total costs to Britain of £14bn - £23.5bn by 2010."A separate comment piece in the Business also cited the findings.

European Arrest Warrant abused

Europaportalen 1 November

Open Europe's Mats Persson had an article on Swedish news site Europaportalen, criticising the misuse of the European Arrest Warrant.

Lisbon Treaty keeps alive "the flame of a United Europe"

Sun 30 October

The Sun quoted Neil O'Brien as saying "Mr Giscard d'Estaing has lifted the lid on the march towards a United States of Europe."

Independent should have said it was reprinting FCO briefing

Independent 30 October

In the Independent's media section, Stephen Glover (a founding editor of the paper) looked at the paper's almost "verbatim reprinting" - spotted by Open Europe - of a Foreign Office note in an article debunking "10 myths about the EU treaty".

Denying a referendum will damage the EU

Our Kingdom October 24

Open Europe’s Hugo Robinson had an article on the Open Democracy ‘Our Kingdom’ site. He argued that “If the EU is to survive as an entity fit for an age where citizens demand real democracy, it simply cannot continue to plough on with the outmoded formula of integration by stealth. Europe’s citizens expect better, and deserve better than this. In the long run, the EU can only survive if it is built on the mandate of popular legitimacy.”

Scottish voters in favour of referendum

Sun October 23

A new ICM poll for Open Europe finds that Scottish voters are strongly in favour of a referendum on the revised EU Constitution: 77% want a referendum, while just 18% are against. The poll findings were featured as the main story of page 2 of the Scottish Sun, and the subject of a leader in the paper.

Does Europe need a policy on sport?

EUobserver October 23

In a comment piece for EUobserver, Richard Lamming of the Federal Trust mentioned Open Europe’s claim that new powers in the revised Constitution will give the EU the ability to regulate sports like football.

How independent is The Independent?

Spectator Blog October 18 National Review October 22

Neil O’Brien had a piece on the Spectator’s Coffee House blog pointing out that Independent’s October 18^th front page article, “10 Myths about the reform treaty,” was a word-for-word reprint of a Foreign Office briefing note, without any attribution that this was the source. National Review picked up on the story.

UK Contributions to EU will rise drastically

Sunday Express October 21

The Sunday Express reported that UK contributions to the EU will soar by more than twice the level of increases in health spending. "Neil O'Brien, the director of the think tank, Open Europe, last night said that the figures revealed how much Labour's deal to slash the rebate negotiated by Margaret Thatcher was costing."

Beware of the Grip of the Euro Monster

Sunday Times October 21

The Sunday Times had a double-page spread assessing the effects of the revised EU Constitution, citing Open Europe’s finding that the treaty is 96% the same as the original. The Scotsman also cited Open Europe’s figure.

EU referendum letter to the Telegraph

Telegraph ERC website October 19

In a letter to the Telegraph, 27 leading politicians, academics and commentators from around Europe called for a referendum to be held in each member state, and for “a real and unbiased debate on the EU reform treaty”. Among the signatories were Open Europe’s Derek Scott, Green MEP Caroline Lucas and Conservative MP David Heathcoat-Amory.

EU treaty threatens Thatcher revolution

Telegraph - Evans-Pritchard October 20

In a story on the reduced voting weights for the UK in the Constitution, the Telegraph quoted Derek Scott from Open Europe as saying "We have, with great difficulty, been able to stop some of the dafter things in the Financial Services Act and MIFID [Markets in Financial Instruments Directive]. Now it is going to be that much harder".

Ahead of Lisbon summit

Al-Jazeera Engligh 19 October

Open Europe’s Lorraine Mullally was interviewed on Al-Jazeera English’s main evening news programme about the Lisbon EU summit and the deal on the revised EU Constitution.

Treaty is same as rejected Constitution

Daily Politics October 18

Neil O’Brien from Open Europe appeared on the Daily Politics arguing that the treaty was the same as the rejected Constitution, following Gordon Brown’s trip to Lisbon. He pointed out that the European Scrutiny Committee had said that two of the red lines were not met and that it would be a significant transfer of power to the EU.

Gordon Brown picks fight with France to divert attention from referendum

Times October 18

The Times reported on that a row will take place between the UK and France to divert attention from the referendum. Neil O’Brien was quoted as saying: “Downing Street may well be trying to cook up a fake row about something else like globalisation to distract from the enormous transfer of powers Gordon Brown is about to sign up to.”

Mark Mardell’s Euroblog

BBC Mardell October 18

The BBC’s chief Europe correspondent, Mark Mardell, noted that “already the think tank/pressure group Open Europe is in town with an inflatable and gigantic ballot box, to demand a referendum.”

Government must keep its promise of referendum

BBC Newsnight October 17

Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien appeared on BBC Newsnight with European Scrutiny Committee Chairman Michael Connarty. Neil argued that the new version of the Constitution is the same as the old version and that the Government must keep its pledge.

Letter responding to OE article

Guardian October 17

In a letter in the Guardian, former Foreign Office diplomat Sir Brian Crowe responded to an article in the Guardian by Open Europe’s Alistair Tebbit who argued that the EU needs reform, not more foreign policy powers. Sir Brian disputes Alistair’s claim that the revised Constitution introduces more majority voting in the foreign policy field.

EU-leaders keep on ignoring voters

Sydsvenska Dagbladet October 15

Open Europe’s Mats Persson had an op-ed in Swedish daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet, looking at the referendum debates in Denmark and the UK, arguing that the often utilised strategy in EU politics to simply ignore voters is being used yet again.

MPs lift the lid on ‘identical’ EU treaty

BBC Radio 4 Sunday Express Daily Mail Mail October 8-10

Neil O'Brien was a guest on BBC Radio 4 to discuss the European Scrutiny Committee report released on the revised EU Constitution with the Committee’s Chair, Labour MP Michael Connarty. Neil said, "I was struck by the strength of their findings...the Government are absolutely all over the place on this, and it's pretty clear from mounting legal evidence that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, on which the Government claimed originally to have an opt-out, is actually going to have effect in the UK."

Neil was also quoted in the Sunday Express as saying, "Any reasonable person who reads the new treaty will realise it is just the same as the EU Constitution on which we were promised a referendum." Neil was quoted in the Daily Mail.

In a separate article in the Mail, Neil was quoted saying that the Committee’s report was a “big turning point”, adding: "The Government's case against the referendum is unravelling. The red lines will not protect Britain."

Gordon Brown’s red lines are crumbling

Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph 2 Guardian Guardian Michael White Sunday Express Le Figaro October 15-18

Open Europe’s new briefing paper on the UK red lines was reported on in the Sunday Telegraph, Guardian and Le Figaro and Sunday Express. The Sunday Telegraph noted that “Neil O'Brien, the director of the Open Europe think tank, argues that Mr. Brown's opt-outs will steadily be eroded by legal challenges in the European Court of Justice. He predicts that Mr. Brown will try to claim a ‘historic victory’ at the end of the summit on Friday, and warns against taking such a declaration ‘at face value’.” In the Guardian, Michael White referred to Open Europe, saying the think tank “produces excellent briefings to show how Mr Brown's four negotiated "red lines" will crumble in the courts.”

The European Union needs reform, not new powers

Guardian October 12

Open Europe’s Alistair Tebbit had a piece in the Guardian arguing that the EU needs reform, not more powers, if it wants to develop a more moral foreign policy. The piece was a response to an article in the Guardian last week by Timothy Garton Ash who claimed that it is not possible to oppose the revised Constitution and greater foreign policy powers for the EU while calling for more EU action against states like Burma and Zimbabwe.

Galileo “doomed,” says Transport Minister

Evening Standard October 11

In the Evening Standard, Neil Collins reported on former Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman’s comments, made at an Open Europe event, that the business case for Galileo is “doomed.”

US House resolution on Armenian genocide counterproductive

BBC World Service October 11

Open Europe's Hugo Robinson appeared on BBC World Service to discuss the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives, which stated that the deaths of Armenians between 1916-1923 should be classified as genocide. Hugo criticised the move, noting that a similar resolution in France last year was been passed for political reasons as a means of pushing Turkey away from EU membership. He argued that decisions on historical events should be left out of the hands of politicians.

Will early election affect referendum debate?

Economist blog October 5

The Economist blog criticised Open Europe’s argument about how the election will affect the referendum debate.

Treaty Endgame

BBC October 4

BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell reported on his blog that the latest version of the EU treaty had been agreed in French. Mardell noted that according to Open Europe, Gordon Brown will try to either “snub the informal [EU summit on 18-19 October], have it delayed, or engineer a row.”

Revised Constitution simply a result of 27 lawyers in a room

Prospect October 4

Manneken Pis argued that the disputes over the June text are simply the result of putting 27 lawyers in the same room together and that legal skirmishes are being blown up to suit nations’ domestic audiences. Pis mentioned Open Europe, noting that “Organisers say there are lessons to learn from ‘this canny and clever organisation and its ‘slick approach’ to the media.”

Petition for a referendum reaches 100,000

Sun October 2

The Sun's petition for a referendum on the revived EU Constitution has reached 100,000. Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien was quoted saying: “The referendum issue is sure to become a key battleground if there is a snap General Election.”

Two thirds of voters want EU referendum

Telegraph 1 October

An article covering the new YouGov poll, which finds that 64% of voters think there should be a referendum on the revised EU Constitution, quoted Open Europe’s Paul Stephenson saying, "This issue is bigger than narrow party politics - it's about democracy. If Gordon Brown refuses to listen to the people it will hurt him in the next general election.''

100,000 join Telegraph EU referendum call

Telegraph 27 September

An article on the Telegraph’s petition in favour of a referendum quoted Open Europe Neil O’Brien as saying: “It’s great that there are now more than a hundred thousand people on the petition. Gordon Brown is going to come under more and more pressure to keep his promise and give us a vote on the Constitutional Treaty. Eight out of ten Labour voters want a referendum. Unless Brown gives people the vote they were promised it could hurt him in an election.”

Laws should stop patronising voters

Sun 17 September

In response to Lib-Dem Shadow Education Minister David Laws’ assertion that those calling for a referendum are “headbangers”, Neil O’Brien told the Sun “Laws should stop patronising voters and listen to them.”

Certain ideas about Europe

Economist blog 10-17 September

Neil O’Brien debated the Constitutional Treaty with Richard Corbett MEP in a series of entries on the Economist blog.

Campbell makes surprise call for referendum on EU membership

Guardian 15 September

The Guardian mentioned Open Europe’s fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrats’ Conference on Wednesday.

A Union that Britain needs

Guardian 7 September BBC Scotland 6 September

The launch of the new cross-party I Want a Referendum campaign was covered by most national and regional papers. A leader in the Guardian quoted Open Europe's research that reveals that the new version of the Constitution is almost identical to the old one. Neil O'Brien also discussed the I Want a Referendum campaign on BBC Radio Scotland's 'Good Morning Scotland' programme.

Case for deeper European integration to test with promised referendum

Herald - letter 6 September

In a letter to the Herald, Neil O’Brien responded to claims by Jo Shaw from the Europa Institute that the UK Government's "red lines" make the new version of the Constitution completely different from the original.

Open Europe responds to claims that a referendum is unnecessary

Guardian FT Sunday Telegraph - D'Ancona Sunday Telegraph 2-3 September

In a letter to the FT Neil O’Brien responded to an editorial which argued that “EU referendum calls are misguided”. Neil also had a piece on the Guardian's 'Comment is Free' page.

Matthew D'Ancona stated in the Sunday Telegraph,” The most compelling analysis of the overwhelming similarities between the two documents (EU treaty and constitution) has been carried out by the Eurosceptic think tank, Open Europe." Christopher Booker also had an article in the newspaper arguing that "as everyone has now realised, the new treaty is almost exactly the same as the rejected constitution. As Open Europe has demonstrated by publishing the two documents side by side, they are 96 per cent identical."

Call a spade a spade

Our Kingdom 29 August

Open Europe had an article on Open Democracy’s Our Kingdom blog, refuting claims that the revised EU Constitution does not involve a transfer of sovereignty.

Put the EU’s Constitution to a referendum

Dagens Nyheter 28 August

An op-ed in Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, quoted Open Europe’s findings that 96 percent of the revised Constitutional Treaty is the same as the original Constitution.

Constitution and opt-outs the same as last time around

BBC Newsnight 22 August

Neil O'Brien appeared on BBC Newsnight. He argued that "the fundamental issue here is that most people don't want to give even more power to the European Union, and the new Constitutional Treaty gives even more power to the European Union. The Government at the last election promised we'd have a referendum on it. It is the same treaty - everyone around Europe is admitting its exactly the same thing as the Constitution, so why can't we have the referendum? The Government has this convoluted argument about 'oh, we've got opt-outs', but they're the same opt outs that were in the original when they promised a referendum.”

EU referendum apathy

Telegraph-Hannan 22 August

On the Telegraph website, Dan Hannan writes “The never-sufficiently-to-be-praised pressure group Open Europe has placed the two texts side by side (Treaty and Constitution) and found no practical differences.”

50,000 back petition for EU treaty referendum

Telegraph EUX TV 21 August

The Telegraph reported that “the Open Europe think-tank has even worked out that when all the proposed amendments are taken into account, the new document at 63,000 words is the same length as its predecessor.” EUXTV reports that “Open Europe is seeking a referendum on the EU reform treaty for all EU member states.”

Ministers wrong 'EU treaty won't affect Britain'

Telegraph 20 August

The Telegraph reported Open Europe’s Guide to the constitutional treaty, noting that “the guide, published by Open Europe, the think tank, attempts to disprove the arguments for not holding a referendum put forward by Gordon Brown's government.”

New row over 'misleading EU treaty'

Telegraph 17 August

The Telegraph noted that “the Open Europe think-tank published research showing the new draft was exactly the same length as the rejected constitution and contained similar threats to British sovereignty.”

Blair’s deal on new EU treaty ‘largely revives the rejected constitution’

Times 20 August

Neil O’Brien was quoted in an article about the so-called Amato group.

They're fighting the wrong enemy

Sunday Telegraph 19 August

The Sunday Telegraph reported on Open Europe's recent research on the failures of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), noting that the report "is also critical of the decision to allow cheap credits from outside the EU to be traded in the scheme. This will only help peg the price of carbon credits to the floor."

Brussels is out to clobber the City

Telegraph 18 August

In a comment piece in the Telegraph, Ruth Lea argued that, "The FSAP is monumental and comprehensive...Frankly, it is a monster. According to an estimate by Open Europe, the plan could cost the British economy at least £14 billion to implement by 2010.”

EU liars

News of the World Mail on Sunday Sunday Times 12 August

The News of the World quoted Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien saying, “If we sign up to the constitutional treaty it is irreversible. We must have a referendum”. In the Sunday Times Simon Jenkins wrote “Open Europe, the think tank, calculated that of some 250 proposals only 10 had been altered. As Lord ( Digby ) Jones, the industry minister, stated (before his peerage), “This is a con to call it a treaty: it’s exactly the same. It’s a constitution.” Open Europe was also quoted in the Mail on Sunday.

How we are bankrolling Brussels

Sunday Express 12 August

Open Europe’s Paul Stephenson told the Sunday Express, "The Government knows it sold us short on the EU budget, and is now running scared from telling voters just how bad a deal it got. They are worried that if they admit the UK did the worst out of all EU members it will only add to the growing pressure on Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution."

France 'seeks control' of EU central bank

Telegraph 11 August

Open Europe Vice-Chairman Derek Scott was quoted saying “France has always sought political control of the ECB: the new treaty entrenches it.” He also accused Gordon Brown of being outmanoeuvred by Nicolas Sarkozy in negotiations to replace the EU Constitution, referring to the deletion of the commitment to "free and undistorted" competition in a list of the EU's defining objectives. He said, "The Government allowed the dropping of the objective of 'undistorted competition' without a whimper and it seems not to have noticed the overt political grab for the ECB - yet Gordon Brown still wants to sign up to the treaty and join the euro. Is the Government asleep or just ill-informed?”

Why the EU Emissions Trading Scheme is failing

BBC Today (20 minutes in) Reuters Point Carbon Point Carbon - CME ABC Telegraph Sunday Times 9-11 August

Open Europe Director Neil O'Brien appeared on the BBC Today programme discussing the new report on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) with Green MEP Caroline Lucas. Neil was also quoted in a trailer piece appearing in the Telegraph , arguing that it is disingenuous for politicians to argue that the fight against climate change should make ratifying the EU Constitution a necessity.

The study was reported in a news article on leading industry website Point Carbon . Open Europe's Hugo Robinson also had a comment piece in the site's weekly review, 'Carbon Market Europe'. The report was featured on Reuters , whilst Spanish newspaper ABC had two stories mentioning the report. Hugo also discussed the findings on Bloomberg TV.

For your eyes only

Economist 10 August

The Charlemagne page of the Economist noted, "how odd it is that so many leading politicians have been standing up recently to declare that the European Union's big new idea is to hoodwink the voters. Specifically, ever more bigwigs have stated that the EU's new treaty was deliberately made as unintelligible as possible so as to make it easier to win new powers for Brussels." It criticised Open Europe however for accusing Guiliano Amato (who made statements to this effect) of "loathsome smugness", arguing that Amato and other fathers of the Constitution are not so much smug as "bitter" that their "beloved constitution is being smuggled past hostile voters".

A definitive guide to why you must have a vote on Europe

Times 7 August

In an article in the Times, William Hague argued that “According to a study by the think-tank Open Europe, only 10 out of 250 proposals in the Constitution have been changed. As dozens of senior EU politicians have said, this is the same content with a different label... our case is simple: this is the EU constitution in all but name, the British people were promised a referendum on it, so let them have that vote.”

Europe wants police powers

Sunday Times 5 August

The Sunday Times reported that the EU Commission aims to boost the powers of Eurojust , an existing EU body, and move towards the creation of a European Public Prosecutor. The article reported that “Neil O’Brien, director of the think tank Open Europe, claimed that Britain’s veto on the public prosecutor could be easily circumvented.”

Revised EU Constitution 96% the same as the original

European Voice Five live (after 44 mins ) Iain Dale Newsnight 2-3 August

Open Europe Director Neil O’Brien was interviewed on BBC Radio 5. He argued that the new version of the Constitution is almost exactly the same as the old version and that Gordon Brown should honour the Government’s promise to hold a referendum. Neil was also quoted in European Voice arguing that the new version of the EU Constitution would be a “significant transfer of power to the European level…such as the creation of a European President and ‘foreign minister’”. He added that the opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights secured by the UK was not “worth anything”.

Neil O’Brien debated the revised Constitution on BBC Newsnight with Former Europe Minister Denis MacShane .

Open Europe's Lorraine Mullally appeared on Al- Jazeera TV to discuss Nicolas Sarkozy's foreign policy. 2 August

Brown must climb down on EU vote

Telegraph 1 August

In an article in the Telegraph Irwin Stelzer noted that “Open Europe, the closest analyst of the new treaty, says that only 10 of the 250 proposals in that document differ from those in the constitution. In short, the treaty is so close to the old constitution that for Brown to argue that his promise of a referendum is inoperative, to borrow a phrase that Nixon applied to his own commitments, is beyond disingenuous... Open Europe reports that the Government is refusing to produce an official English translation of the text until some time during the recess. So much for open government, and the sovereignty of Parliament.”

Keep EU referendum promise, MPs tell Brown

Telegraph 30 July

The Telegraph mentioned Open Europe and suggested it will step up the campaign for a referendum in the autumn.

Treaty? What treaty?

Christopher Booker 29 July

Open Europe’s analysis of the new treaty was mentioned in Christopher Booker’s column in the Sunday Telegraph.

Gisela Stuart: Government are “either being deliberately disingenuous or ill-informed" 27 July

BBC

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s World at One Labour MP and former Health Minister Gisela Stuart called on the Government to hold a referendum. Mentioning that she had read Open Europe’s translation of the text, she said, "The red lines that we now say we have secured and therefore don't need a referendum, actually those red lines were already protected in the constitutional treaty on which we were prepared to give a referendum. Nothing has changed. This is now a question of trust.”

We want a referendum

Telegraph leader Mail leader Mail Volkskrant Guardian Het Financieele Dagblad 25 July

There was widespread coverage of Open Europe's research finding that the new version of the EU Constitution contains 96% of the content of the original text, with only 10 out of 250 proposals in the new treaty being different to those in the Constitution. The headline in the Mail quoted Open Europe's description of the new treaty as "A cut and paste Constitution". A leader in the Telegraph entitled "We want a referendum" argued that the revised EU Constitution exposed "The depths of political cynicism being plumbed” by politicians, noting that “Fortunately, the Open Europe think-tank has taken the trouble of reading - and translating - it. Its assessment is damning." The research was also mentioned in a leader in the Mail , which concluded, "Gordon Brown justly prides himself on his moral compass. Does he want this insult to democracy on his conscience?" Open Europe were also mentioned in the Express , the Guardian online , the Birmingham Post , and in 11 different Dutch newspapers, including Volkskrant and Het Financieele Dagblad .

Revised treaty will be bad for Britain

Telegraph FT letter Mail 24- 25 July

The front page of the Telegraph and the Mail reported on a letter published in the FT from Open Europe business supporters, arguing that the revised EU Constitution will be "bad for business and bad for Britain".

New EU Treaty is 96% of old Constitution

Mail EUobserver Guardian de Volkskrant

Open Europe Director Neil O'Brien was quoted in the Mail and EUobserver arguing that "We never expected that they would simply bring back all the text from the old constitution. All they seem to have done is renumber the articles. From this point forward it's going to become absolutely impossible for Gordon Brown to resist a referendum, because this is almost exactly the same text that he promised a referendum on before. If Brown now tries to carry on pretending that this is somehow a different document, it will be one of the most audacious political lies in the last couple of decades." The Guardian wrote “The pro-business Open Europe group said the new treaty was a ‘cut-and-paste constitution’”, and Dutch daily de Volkskrant also covered the story.

EU referendum drive targets Gordon Brown

Telegraph 19 July

The Telegraph reported that the forthcoming campaign for a referendum "will bring together MPs, trade unions, business and organisations such as Open Europe", and "will fire the opening shots in Britain's 'Constitution Wars' in the first week of September”.

Constitution deliberately ‘unreadable’

EUobserver Telegraph Dziennik 16 - 20 July 2007

An article in EUobserver, reporting on Italian former PM and current Interior Minister Giuliano Amato’s claim that the new Constitutional treaty was deliberately made ‘unreadable’, noted that his speech was recorded by Open Europe, and quoted Director Neil O'Brien as saying, "This is an extraordinary admission from someone who has been close to the negotiations on the EU treaty. The idea of just changing the name of the Constitution and pretending that it is just another complex treaty shows a total contempt for voters." Open Europe was also quoted in the Telegraph and Polish daily Dziennik.

Pace of reform slowing down in Bulgaria

Sofia Echo 17 July 2007

Open Europe's Hugo Robinson was quoted in the Sofia Echo arguing that the EU Commission’s recent progress report on Bulgaria “will not make comfortable reading. Ironically, with the objective of EU membership having been achieved, the incentive for making painful changes is blunted, meaning the pace of reform in new member states often slows down after EU accession. This appears to be happening in Bulgaria.”

Brown and Merkel meeting

BBC World Service 16 July 2007

Open Europe director Neil O’Brien discussed the Brown-Merkel meeting on the BBC World Service.

Charter opt-out ‘not worth the paper it is written on’

Telegraph, Sun, Telegraph 12 - 13 July 2007

The Telegraph quoted Open Europe’s Director Neil O'Brien as saying, "Trying to stop the charter changing our laws will be like trying to carry water in a sieve." The next day the Sun reported on comments made by legal experts in Brussels that the UK op-out on the Charter of Fundamental Rights is "potentially very thin,” and quoted Open Europe saying that "voters need the chance to decide." Meanwhile, reporting on EU Commissioner Margot Wallstrom’s refusal to “speculate” on how the ECJ will rule on the Charter in the UK and her claim that the Charter will be binding “for member states when they implement EU law, even if it does not apply to all of them,” the Telegraph wrote, “research from Open Europe, a think tank, suggests that EU judges will not be backward in coming forward to apply the charter."

Swedish government should rethink its approach to the new EU Treaty

Expressen 10 July 2007

Open Europe’s Mats Persson had an op-ed in Sweden’s biggest tabloid Expressen, arguing that Sweden is one of the member states that will lose most influence if the new Constitutional Treaty comes into force. He wrote, “The text that the EU’s leaders agreed on in Brussels is a step in the wrong direction. It will reduce Sweden’s influence in Europe, and risks undermining the government’s agenda both at home and abroad. The Swedish government has strong reason to rethink its uncritical approach to the treaty.”

EU fraud costing £1m a day

Express 10 July 2007

The Express reported that EU fraud is costing taxpayers more than £1million for every working day, and quoted Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien as saying: “The EU continues to lose vast sums of money to fraud. If the people in charge of the EU budget were running a business they would have been sacked years ago. The EU needs radical reform, not even more powers. The EU hasn’t had its accounts signed off for 12 years, and new problems seem to come to light every month. The EU’s failure to sort out its chronic problems makes it all the more vital that we have the referendum we were promised before we hand over any more powers.”

Brown’s “constitutional settlement”

Sunday Telegraph 9 July 2007

Christopher Booker, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, argued, "as the think-tank Open Europe and others have pointed out, it is truly astonishing that Mr Brown should begin his premiership, while promising to be 'open' with the British people, with a deceit so shameless as to make his predecessor look like an honest man."

EU VAT plans

Express 6 July 2007

Reporting on the EU’s plans to shake up VAT rules, the Express quoted Open Europe warning, “if the EU forces through tax increases on everyday products such as nappies it is only going to add to the growing British frustration with Brussels.”

New Constitution’s defence provisions

Europolitique, 2 - 6 July 2007

An article in Europolitique, looking at the draft IGC mandate’s provisions for defence, quoted Open Europe warning that efforts already underway in this area risk duplicating NATO initiatives. It quoted Open Europe saying, "the arguments over the permanent structured cooperation group are much like those over the European Defence Agency - that the focus on harmonisation of forces within Europe will work to the detriment of cooperation with NATO," and went on to cite Open Europe’s Lorraine Mullally as saying "there is a danger of drawing the UK's commitments away from NATO”.

Juncker calls for UK public attention not to be drawn to sovereignty transfers in new treaty

Express 4 July 2007

Reporting on Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker’s assertion that there should be public debate on the revised Constitutional Treaty in every country apart from Britain, the Express quoted Open Europe as saying, “While other EU leaders have openly admitted that the new EU treaty will be virtually identical to the rejected EU Constitution, our Government is still trying to spin that it is not worth a referendum.”

EU’s ‘non-emotive lexicon’ on terrorism

Express 4 July 2007

Reporting on an EU ‘lexicon’ for discussing terrorism in “non-offensive” terms, the Express quoted Open Europe arguing that “the EU’s so-called ‘non-emotive lexicon’ won’t do anything to stop dangerous extremists targeting Britain.’’

Referendum pressure builds

Sun, Telegraph, Telegraph 3-4 July 2007

An article in the Telegraph reported that “Open Europe served notice that anti-referendum MPs from all the main parties would face sustained pressure in their own constituencies in the coming months.” It quoted Lord Leach of Fairford, Chairman of Open Europe, as saying, "Gordon Brown should think twice before going back on his party's manifesto pledge to hold a referendum on a treaty that is the EU constitution in all but name. If he is serious about wanting to 'listen and learn' he should let the people have a say. We are building a formidable coalition to ensure that the Government keeps its promise." The article also cited an ICM/Open Europe poll which found that 86 per cent of voters want a referendum on the treaty while 43 per cent of Labour supporters would be "definitely less likely" to vote for Mr Brown if he refuses one.

Meanwhile on his blog Telegraph writer Dan Hannan described Open Europe as “the main outfit working to expose the grisly necromancy” of the revised Constitutional Treaty. The Sun quoted Open Europe Vice Chairman Derek Scott saying, "Gordon Brown has stressed his desire to listen and change and involve people in decisions. If he is serious about this, his first priority must be to honour the Government's promise of a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty."

Polacy nie chca euro

Gazeta Wyborcza 3 July 2007

Gazeta Wyborcza cited Open Europe’s pan-European poll, which suggested 70 per cent of Greeks, 60 per cent of Portuguese and 54 per cent of Germans want their old currencies back in place of the euro.

Sarkozy scuttles EU with change to Treaty

Bloomberg 27 June

On Bloomberg, in reference to Sarkozy’s removal of the EU’s commitment to “free and undistorted competition” Open Europe Director Neil O’Brien argued “We'll need to see what the lawyers make of it in practice. But this is a bad sign of the direction Europe is taking.''

A living treaty

Newsnight Guardian letters EUpolitix BBC Mardell Guardian Houston Chronicle San Diego Tribune 26 June

Open Europe Director Neil O’Brien appeared on Newsnight, arguing that the new treaty will represent a transfer of power to the EU, and noting that leaders around Europe are openly admitting that the new text is much the same as the Constitution.

On his blog, BBC Europe Editor Mark Mardell noted that the UK Government’s ‘safeguards’ on the new treaty may not be as certain as he previously believed. He described Open Europe as a “pretty amazing outfit” with a “meticulous and hyperactive research department”, which calls the Government’s line into question. The Telegraph has a link to our analysis of the revised Constitutional Treaty on its website.

Neil O’Brien had a letter in the Guardian, responding to a recent leader in the newspaper. He argued: “The EU needs reform, not even more powers. Indeed, the process leading to the European constitution was launched in 2001 in the hope of "bringing Europe closer to its citizens". An attempt to smuggle the rejected constitution past the public by denying them a vote, which you seem to endorse, would be a truly pitiful end to the project.”

Open Europe was quoted in numerous papers including the Guardian, NY Sun, Forbes Weekly, San Diego Tribune and the Houston Chronicle commenting on Gordon Brown’s European policy: “Blair always had an eye on building up that currency called influence. Brown is likely to be more ready to put his foot down and say no.”

Revised treaty “merely the EU Constitution with another name”

Sunday Times Sunday Times-leader Mail on Sunday Sunday Telegraph Sunday Telegraph-O’Brien BBC