Major warns EU over Social Chapter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.John Major last night opened up a new battlefront with Europe by warning that Britain would not allow social legislation to be imposed on it by the back door.
He disclosed that Britain was seeking changes in the health and safety provisions of the Maastricht Treaty to prevent it being used to impose shorter working hours on UK firms.
Speaking at the CBI annual dinner in London last night, Mr Major said: "I have told our European partners in clear terms that we must change the health and safety provisions so they reflect the more limited scope that was originally intended and that we orginally agreed to. I take this very seriously.
"We cannot be expected to have confidence in European agreements if they are subsequently undermined by shifts in interpretation. I do not want to be misunderstood about this. If old agreements are to be broken I do not see how we can reach new agreements."
Mr Major added that before there could be an agreement at the forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference, Britain had to ensure that its opt-out on the Social Chapter could not be undermined.
Sir Bryan Nicholson, the president of the Confederation of British Industry, last night launched a swingeing attack on the Eurosceptics within the Tory party, dismissing their demands that Britain should withdraw from the European Union.
He also warned that their "churlish xenophobia" and discourtesy was alienating a growing section of the business community.
Speaking at the CBI's annual dinner immediately after Mr Major had rejected suggestions that Britain could flourish outside the EU, Sir Bryan said: "References to cloud cuckoo-land are near the mark - but I am not sure they are strong enough. This spring seems to have brought forth a flock of cuckoos which are about as helpful as the Biblical plague of locusts.
"Some of our parliamentarians conduct themselves with a discourtesy that only serves to embarrass and alienate those of us - a large and increasing number - who do business with our European partners." He was appalled by the standard of debate over Europe, he added.
Comment, page 21
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments