Is this the deal on Europe

Sunny Hundal over at Liberal Conspiracy is touting a possible leaked copy of the Tory/Lib Dem coalition agreement. This is what it has to say on Europe.

9. Relations with the EU

We agree that the British Government will be a positive participant in the European
Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners, with the goal of ensuring that all the nations of Europe are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century: global competitiveness, global warming and global poverty.

We agree that there should be no further transfer of sovereignty or powers over the
course of the next Parliament. We will examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences and will, in particular, work to limit the application of the Working Time Directive in the United Kingdom.

We agree that we will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that any proposed
future Treaty that transferred areas of power, or competences, would be subject to a referendum on that Treaty – a ‘referendum lock’.

We will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that the use of any passerelle would require primary legislation.

We will examine the case for a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that
ultimate authority remains with Parliament.

We agree that Britain will not join or prepare to join the Euro in this Parliament.

We agree that we will strongly defend the UK’s national interests in the forthcoming
EU budget negotiations and that the EU budget should only focus on those areas where the EU can add value.

We agree that we will press for the European Parliament only to have one seat, in
Brussels.

We agree that we will approach forthcoming legislation in the area of criminal justice on a case by case basis, with a view to maximising our country’s security,
protecting Britain’s civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system. Britain will not participate in the establishment of any European Public Prosecutor.

Mostly meaningless guff.

Couple of interesting points,
examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences
Is this a suggrestion (and it looks like it on the Working Time Directive) that a series of back dated impact assements on EU legislation will be carried out. I suppose interesting in themselves, but if, by any chance a Directive, or EU policy was found to be harmful (maybe the CFP) then what on earth would they do, or be able to do about it?
We will examine the case for a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority remains with Parliament.
This would be similar to the German position, and would lead to a head on collision with the partners onthe continent.

Other than that, cannot say I have any problems with the civil liberties section, and a few other bits and pieces.

It could have ben much worse.