Vince walks the line on Europe

Vince Cable was on best behaviour at the European Parliament yesterday afternoon. The twinkle of opposition was back, and he assured his audience that they would not be receiving one of those dour Hibernian lectures of blesséd memory. He had come, he said, merely to explain the coalition’s government’s European business policy.    

Europe is a point of contention within the coalition, but one that is exaggerated. The coalition agreement is quite detailed on European policy, particularly on competences. Naturally, economic policy is more fluid, but the government, essentially, seeks further growth in the single market and closer economic co-operation to counter competition from the developing world.

Cable danced those steps with ease, which was crucial as his was an important audience. Europe’s competing governments are warring over the future of the single market. Broadly speaking, the Commission and President Barosso favour increasing protectionism, administered from Brussels under what is known as the 2020