A trap for Eurosceptic Tories

Brown has set a trap into which Tory Eurosceptics must not march

24 October 2007

The Tory Europhobes must be realistic in the debate over the European Treaty.

Gordon Brown looks like a moth-eaten Prime Minister nowadays. His botched handling of a general election and his help in unifying the Conservatives have been the unexpected hallmarks of an amateur, not a consummate professional. If one adds to this his unpopular protestations that the European Treaty does not require the promised referendum, it would seem that never again will it be glad confident morn for his tenure in Downing Street.

But with Gordon Brown one should always read the small print before getting too excited. He has promised more than 20 days’ debate in the House of Commons before the Treaty is ratified. Week after week of debate may seem like a heaven-sent opportunity for the Tories to demonstrate Brown’s perfidy, and to exploit his fear of a referendum that he would probably lose.

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Derek Bennett

October 25th, 2007 3:41pm Report this comment

"Europhobes"? Obviously Rifkind is a Euro-fanatic unlike those of us who feel betrayed by the years we have had to put up with the deceit that being in the EU is good - it is not. It is costly, bureaucratic and harmful to our Parliamentary sovereignty. Those who want Britain to leave the EU are in reality Euro Realists.