text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Lisbon Treaty - Exclude the European Court of Justice from extending its power without authorisation - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  
  
  The majority No voters rejected an amendment[1] to the [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/europeanunionamendment.html European Union (Amendment) Bill] that sought to limit the powers of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_court_of_justice European Court of Justice]. The Aye-voters were especially concerned by the "accumulation in power and judicial authority of the European Court of Justice, and the diminution in power of the national Parliaments."[2]
  
  However, Jim Murphy MP argues that:[3]
  
  :'...the EU has only those powers that the member states give it through treaties, and that everything else remains with member states. It sets out the relationship between the EU and member states, making it clear that powers are given to the EU by member states, not the other way around. It makes it clear that member states are the masters of the treaties, as the German constitutional court has put it.'
  
  The European Union (Amendment) Bill implements the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lisbon Lisbon Treaty] into UK law. The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to[4]:
  
  * 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 Van 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)
  * Give new powers to the EU over justice and home affairs
  * Remove the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid 
  
  ----
  
  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-02-26b.1033.1 William Cash MP], House of Commons, 26 February 2008
  * [2] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-02-26b.991.5 William Cash MP], House of Commons, 26 February 2008
  * [3] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-02-26b.1030.2 Jim Murphy MP], House of Commons, 26 February 2008
  * [4] [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)
  