http://dollars-vedioonline.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-european-parliament-can-change.html
MEPs will vote on legislation for the deal but NOT before UK's referendum
The PM will try and finalise his deal with EU leaders at a summit this week
Expected to trigger a June referendum but MEPs will not vote until after
Any agreement will be binding on EU leaders but not the EU's parliament
The European Parliament could modify David Cameron's deal with the EU after Britain has voted on whether to stay in, it emerged today.
Downing Street insisted the agreement, which the Prime Minister is trying to finalise this week, would be 'legally binding' and 'lodged at the United Nations'.
But while the leaders of all 28 EU member states will have to sign up to the agreement before it is finished the European Parliament will still have to pass legislation to enact it - and MEPs will not be party to any legally binding deal.
The European Parliament will be asked to pass EU laws on the so-called 'emergency brake' on migrant benefits and reforms to how child benefit is paid to migrant workers.
It was made clear today the legislation will not be put to MEPs until after Britain's referendum - expected in June.
The potential roadblock to Mr Cameron's deal comes from the so-called 'co-decision' powers that hand the 751 MEPs veto powers over certain laws.
Mr Cameron is due to meet parliament president Martin Shulz in Brussels tomorrow as well as the leaders of two party groupings in the parliament.
But Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who claimed he had been due to meet the PM in Brussels, said Mr Cameron had 'run away
Mr Cameron's official spokeswoman said today: 'What we have seen from a number of senior MEPs in the last few weeks, in particular since the draft decision was published by the European Council, is comment from MEPs saying they want to work with us on these areas.
'The facts are that in a number of areas such as those relating to social security and welfare spending you need the European Parliament involved in it.'
She added: 'Subsequent to the legally binding decision, which is a matter for heads of state and government, there are a number of proposals within it that will then be subject to the usual EU decision making procedures.
'Yes, the Prime Minister will clearly be looking for the European Parliament to make clear they will work with the UK to deliver on the solutions that are being discussed.
'But do they need to ratify the draft decision... it's a decision for the heads of government.'
Pressed on the timetable for finalising the reforms, the spokeswoman continued: 'There is a proposal on the table that will allow us to cut in work benefits to EU migrants.
'What we will be working on for this week is for all the European member states to sign up to that so that process can then be taken forward following a referendum depending on the decision of the British people.'
The European Commission will be responsible for bringing forward a regulation to implement the deal.
This regulation will then be debated and voted on by MEPs.
The reason MEPs vote after Britain's referendum is because the deal being negotiated by David Cameron will not come into force unless Britain votes to remain a member of the EU.
Mr Cameron's spokeswoman said: 'We will be looking for all countries in the European Parliament to deliver on that following the choice of the British people.'
She added: 'The legally binding decision will take force in international law, it makes very clear the commitment of all parties to deliver on those commitments and indeed to do so swiftly.'
The spokeswoman insisted we 'should not get into hypotheticals' adding senior MEPs had made clear they wanted to 'work with the UK to deliver on these reforms'.
WHY MEPS WILL GET A SAY ON BRITAIN'S DEAL: THE 'CODECISION' PROCEDURE DESIGNED TO MAKE THE EU MORE DEMOCRATIC
MEPs will debate and vote on aspects of Britain's deal with the EU as part of the normal legislative workings of the EU.
But crucially, because of the way Brussels works this will not happen until after Britain has held its referendum.
The agreement David Cameron hopes to strike will not become officially live until after Britain has voted to stay in. This is the trigger for implementing the agreement.
It means the 751-member European Parliament, pictured above, will get a say over the welfare aspects of the deal - the crucial components relating to the 'emergency brake' on migrant benefits and reforms to how child benefit works.
They are at the core of what is likely to be the deal Mr Cameron presents to the country next week as his recommendation Britain stays In the EU.
But unless they are carried by a vote of MEPs in what is known as the 'co-decision' or 'ordinary legislative procedure' they will not be adopted.
This requires both the European Council - made up of national government leaders - and the European Parliament to agree a decision.
Number 10 insisted today they has received assurances from senior MEPs about the passage of the new laws, adding the national governments of all member states will be signed up.
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