text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Lisbon Treaty - Second Reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  The majority Aye voters agreed to give a second reading of the [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/europeanunionamendment.html European Union (Amendment) Bill]. A second reading is where the main principles and purpose of a Bill is discussed. This Bill will give effect in United Kingdom law to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lisbon Lisbon Treaty].
  
  The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to[2]:
  
  * Streamline EU institutions
  * Establish a permanent President of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council European Council] (as of 16 March 2010 held by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Van_Rompuy Herman von Rompuy]
  * Establish the post of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Representative_of_the_Union_for_Foreign_Affairs_and_Security_Policy High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy] (as of 16 March 2010 held by Catherine Ashton)
  * New powers given to the EU over justice and home affairs
  * Removal of the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid
  
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  * [2] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6901353.stm BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty], 5 February 2010 
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  