Get ready for a row over Europe

After being pummelled at PMQs today, the last thing Gordon Brown wants is an escalation of the row over the so-called EU Reform Treaty, what used to be called the constitution, and Labour’s broken promise to hold a referendum on it. But that’s what he is going to get. During an appearance in front of the Foreign Affairs select committee today, David Miliband promised to produce a letter setting out precisely where Britain’s red lines are protected. This will set off a row over whether these protections are worth the paper they’re written on and highlight just how similar the new treaty is to the old constitution. So, Brown will find himself embroiled in another row about trust and having the courage to put things to a vote.