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thomas davison

Vice-president of European Commission rallies for 'United States of Europe'
A RALLYING cry to create a United States of Europe provoked fury yesterday.
By: Alison Little
Published: Fri, January 10, 2014

Viviane Reding wants European national governments to unite to emulate the US Senate system Viviane Reding wants European national governments to unite to emulate the US Senate system [GETTY]

Viviane Reding, the unelected vice-president of the European Commission, wants national governments to be reduced to the role of a consultative tier, similar to the US Senate.

Last night Conservative MP James Wharton, whose Bill on a guaranteed referendum to leave the EU has its first full debate in the Lords today, hit out at Ms Reding�s ideas, as a �fantasy�.

Justice Commissioner Ms Reding, from Luxembourg, said: �We need to build a United States of Europe with the Commission as government and two chambers: The European Parliament and a �Senate� of member states.�

Her plan would give the EU Commission supremacy over national governments and members of the European Parliament more power than MPs.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said Ms Reding had exposed the choice for voters during the European Parliament elections in May. �On May 22 people must ask themselves if they want this and vote accordingly,� he said.

One European official dismissed British concerns about any move towards closer EU union, saying: �We assume Britain�s leaving the EU so we don�t even think about British sensitivities.�

Former Eurocrats Lord Kinnock and Lord Mandelson are expected to launch a fresh attempt to sabotage the Bill.

The pair were among at least 77 peers who have indicated their desire to speak in the crunch Lords debate today on legislation to trigger the historic in-or-out poll.