A SMALL STEP FOR THE CONSTITUTION.

This week's euphoria over the massive European Parliament backing for the European Constitution should not overlook warning signals about the prospects for the adoption of the new Treaty.

The report was approved by 500 MEPs. But there was significant opposition from MEPs in a number of countries, raising the spectre of rejection of the Treaty in not just one member state, but possibly several.

The fact that over half of the UK's 78 MEPs voted against, including most of the main opposition Conservative Party members, is an indication of the task facing the pro-European campaign in the run-up to a referendum there. Even if the "no" campaign is weakened by splits between the UK Independence Party, which wants to leave the EU altogether, and those who genuinely oppose the Constitution, it is the "yes" camp which still has to talk the UK public round. Relying on divisions among the Constitution's opponents to win the argument would be complacent.

The negative vote by MEPs from the main Czech opposition party also raises questions about whether that country might deliver a "no", either through parliamentary ratification or a referendum - a decision which the government has yet to take.

The prominence of Polish MEPs in protesting or voting against the...