Dr. Ashford will argue that the Charter of Fundamental Rights will constitutionalise social rights and the powers of labour unions.

The Charter could therefore become a major obstacle to the achievement of flexible labour markets in Europe, which will be essential for the long-term health of the European economy.

Dr. Ashford has written extensively on the U.K. and the EU, with particular reference to political parties.He is a former Vice President of the U.K. section of the International Society for Human Rights, and a member of the National Board of the European Movement of the U.K.

Dr. Ashford’s most recent book is U.S. Politics Today (Manchester University Press).

He was recently Visiting Scholar at the Social Philosophy and Policy Center at Bowling Green University, Ohio, where he examined the existence of social rights.