31 December, 2007

2008: the first good news?

In an interview in the Daily Mail, David Cameron appears to suggest - I think I can put it no stronger than that - that he would not be bound in government by the EU constitution signed by Gordon Brown. This is correct, of course - one government cannot bind its successor - but brave. It is the first time it has been suggested that the motion towards a politically united Europe is not on a ratchet, and can be reversed. Here's what he said:

“If we reach circumstances where the whole treaty has been not only ratified but implemented that is not a situation we would be content with.

"We wouldn't let matters rest there.

"We think the treaty is wrong because it passes too much power from Westminster to Brussels.

'We would address that issue at the time.”

He will be tested on this in 2008. In particular it will be suggested to him – and this may be right – that it will involve a complete renegotiation of our relationship with Europe. Let’s see how close he can stick to that text over the coming year. For me and countless others this is very encouraging however.

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