Jun 18 2007
Just say “No”
I read that our PM is under increasing pressure from other EU leaders to do a deal over the draft Constitution. That’s nothing to the pressure the government will be under from the voters if they cave in over this.
It should be the easiest thing in the world to say "No". It would be instantly popular at home. Normally this governemnt likes to make populist noises, but not on the subject of Europe.
If Gordon Brown wants to get off to a good start with the English, then all he need do is to explain that he will not be asking Parliament to transfer more powers to Brussels, so Mr Blair had better not agree to any such proposal.
The worst possible start for the new PM would be to accept a shady deal done by Blair in his last few hours as PM, and to tell us he had to implement it. He should make sure no such deal is done, or make it clear he is made of sterner stuff than Blair and will veto any transfer of powers.
We do not need the EU to have more powers because there are more countries in it. We do not want it to do more or legislate more, so it should not be given more power.
John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College...
If Gordon Brown does as you suggest, and I hope he will, he will also have moved on to Conservative territory regarding the EU and make Cameron’s task of unseating him more difficult. He is, therefore, quite likely to follow your advice although not publicly acknowledging to be so doing.
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Well said John.
In Maggie’s very words “NO, NO, NO!”
If any deal is done it must go to a referendum.
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