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  Lisbon Treaty - Disapproves of the government's policy towards the Lisbon Treaty with regards to human rights - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  
  The majority No voters rejected an amendment[1] disapproving of the Government's policy towards the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_lisbon Treaty of Lisbon in respect of human rights. It accuses the government of being inconsistent and incoherent - particularly in regard to whether or not the UK would have an opt-out from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Fundamental_Rights Charter of Fundamental Rights]. The Aye voters also demanded that the Government "adopt a clear and consistent policy whose merits Parliament may then judge."
  
  The amendment can be seen as an attempt to limit Britain's integration with the European Union (EU).
  
  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 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 
  
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  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-02-05b.810.0 David Lidington MP], House of Commons, 5 February 2008
  * [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)
  