Cameron and Europe: Tears, Tantrums and Turmoil (Christchurch Liberal Democrats)

Christchurch Liberal Democrats <judysheppeard@qmail.com>

Cameron and Europe: Tears, Tantrums and Turmoil

November 6, 2009 1:42 PM
Originally published by Sir Graham Watson MEP

For 499,999,999 European citizens, Václav Klaus this week delivered some welcome news; for a certain Tory leader, the Czech President could only provide a massive headache.

The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 27 member states means that the EU will become more transparent, closer to the citizen and more coherent in standing up to China, Russia and the USA. Most importantly it means that the tedious wrangling over institutional procedure can end, and Europe can finally focus its mind on finding a green, sustainable route out of recession.

However, David Cameron (perhaps showing his true conservative views) was wallowing in the stagnation. The prospect of a referendum covered up the massive split in his party between the right-wing Europhobes and those more rational Conservatives who recognise that a well functioning EU is vital to Britain.

Cameron tried to paper over the cracks again with mythical promises of a "Sovereignty Bill" and a "claw back" of powers from Brussels. However, to do this he will need the cooperation and understanding of Europe's other leaders and the EU's institutions.

Unfortunately, Messrs Cameron and Hague have done such a good job of alienating important allies - by snubbing the mainstream centre-right grouping in the European Parliament and making idle threats to European Ambassadors - that a Tory government would indeed find (as the French Minister said) that they have 'castrated' Britain.

They have chosen their friends in a small parliamentary group that consists of homophobes, neo-fascists and climate change deniers. (For a more detailed look at this group, see my article 'Look to the EP if you want to see the true face of the Conservatives' in the October News section).

Last week The Economist posed some cutting questions about this dangerous strategy;

"If this shoddy, shaming alliance is the price [Cameron] was obliged to pay his party for the changes needed to make it seem modern and compassionate, what sort of party is it that Mr Cameron leads? What else will its members demand, and what else-when his popularity and authority wane-will he be obliged to give them, after he becomes prime minister?"

I do not like the assumption that voters will be duped into allowing Cameron to assume power, but the message is clear. Despite the new glossy casing, the Conservative Party has not changed. It can only offer Britain isolation, extreme inequality and sickening intolerance.

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