Published in The Independent, 12 March 2008
Sir, The obstacle in the way of a statement of the powers of the EU as clear as Simon Carr would like (10 March) lies not in Brussels but in the national capitals. The division of powers between the EU and the member states has to be agreed unanimously by all 27 of them, and clarity and simplicity will come only when each national government resists the temptation to insist on small changes that it thinks would be popular back home.
We are still waiting for that day. The Lisbon Treaty is undoubtedly an improvement on its predecessors. But there is still work to be done.
Richard Laming, Director, Federal Union, London SE1