There was a telling moment in Michael Gove’s testimony to Leveson yesterday, when he applauded Rupert Murdoch for The Sun’s campaign against the Euro:
‘Gove: Other politicians recognised that the campaign which the Sun and others ran to keep us out of the single currency was right, and I think if we’re reflecting on other newspaper campaigns, I think we can undoubtedly say that was a campaign in the public interest.
Jay: Well, some people might still disagree with that proposition, Mr Gove, but I’m not going to take you on it.
Gove: I’m sure — well, a dwindling number may.’
To me, the exchange was a reminder of how the whole bien pensant establishment was once in favour of Britain going into the euro. The launch of Britain in Europe, it is worth remembering, was attended by Blair, Charlie Kennedy, Ken Clarke, Michael Heseltine, Robin Cook and numerous others. Chris Patten memorably likened the Tory party to the Austrian far-right for its opposition to it, something which Downing Street should remember more often than it does. But it is those who were insulted and derided who’ve now been proved to be right.
This should have a profound effect on our politics. When Ken Clarke dismisses calls for a referendum on Europe as the call of a few ‘extreme nationalists’, he should be reminded that if he had his way Britain would be currently inside a burning building with no exits.
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