The news is that surreptitiously, it would appear, Germany, with the backing of France and several other countries, has amended the text at the last moment (it is due to be signed on Thursday) to put back in all the stuff about the flag (still with only 12 stars, curiously), the anthem (smashing piece of music ruined by association) and the Festival (9th May: Europe Day - Hurrah!). Followers of this sorry saga will recall that this was the stuff they took out so that it didn't look like a constitution, in order to get Britain to sign.
The disturbing thing here is not that it has happened - European negotiations have a history of sly, underhand goings on - it is that it has been done with such barefaced chutzpah. The European apparat feels able to ignore Gordon Brown, over the African summit with Mugabe and over this. The Sun's editorial has it right:
'Gordon Brown is being played like a sucker by Europe’s power brokers. Brown pretends otherwise. Because he cannot admit he’s been conned.'
Perhaps this is Gordon Brown's chance to look as if he is listening to the people (nearly three quarters of us want a referendum, according to a recent poll) and veto it. My guess is he won't: at this moment he'll be biting those nails concerned the Tories will betray him as only against the anthem bit, not a serious doubter and therefore just a vacillating politician.
Brown wants this Treaty signed so it will be forgotten and the problem go away. It is our job to make sure it stays on the front pages.
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