European Union: Definition of "Federalism"

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:23 am on 19 March 2002.

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Photo of Lord Goodhart Lord Goodhart Liberal Democrat 11:23, 19 March 2002

My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is little point in deciding whether the European Union is technically a federation, a confederation or something in between? Does she further agree that it needs a governing instrument and that it makes very little difference whether or not that is called a "constitution"?