By Lee Rotherham
Brussels orbiters are having their moment of triumph. Recent vitriolic attacks on the Czech President by the Left and by continental integrationists have told us more about the commentators than the man himself. The Bohemians on both sides have proved their true worth.
There is perhaps an element of symmetry in the last redoubt against the EU Constitution centring on Prague Castle. During the Convention on the Future of Europe long years ago, when the text was first being carved, amongst the doughtiest of delegates defending the principles of the nation state were the ODS representatives, both in the main debate as well as in the youth convention.
Events have now moved on. The bastion behind the White Mountain has now fallen, and with it the Lisbon Treaty comes into effect.
Many Eurosceptics will be despondent. The enactment of Lisbon means that the renegotiation process, begun at Laeken in 2001, comes to a close and a new chapter opens up based on a new acquis.We cannot delude ourselves with the insane pretence that European integration has now reached its natural limit; nor even that we are now perched at the high water mark of the current tidal flow. The coming months, starting with the European Diplomatic service, will see the reinvigoration of the Brussels centralisers, whose one reticence – that of disconcerting an electorate – will now be removed.
Brash integration will now follow the forgotten lessons of lost referenda, as these modern day Bourbons forget nothing while learning nothing.
But there is hope, at least for Britain. Some question the depth of conviction within the Conservative leadership, and wonder whether there is a shortage of understanding in how the European system works. Clearly a Herculean task awaits in striving to take back powers, so that they can in turn be handed over to MPs, assembly members and even communities themselves. Is a future Conservative government up to the task, or will it merely play charades as the Labour Party did during the renegotiations of 1975?
There is room for hope, lying in no small part in an example showing the hidden values of William Hague himself.
During the Convention, a number of papers were put forward arguing the case for a Europe of cooperation and friendship, rather than one of a federal power grab. There were papers by former senior generals and diplomats, by fishermen, by youth. But there was also one by elder statesmen. A Voice for Millions: An Alternative Model for the Future of Europe was signed by former cabinet ministers, party leaders, premiers, presidential candidates and campaign chiefs from across the continent. It endorsed the principles later set out in the Convention’s Minority Report. It encouraged the restoration of management of the CAP, CFP, and development aid to national control, adding,
“As a rule of thumb, matters which do not cross borders or affect the single market for other countries should be left for the local authorities to deal with. Brussels must become less of a government, and more of an arbiter.”
The excellent Jan Zahradil signed on behalf of the ODS, as Vaclav Klaus had just assumed the Presidency and could not. Who signed from Britain? In addition to delegates David Heathcoat-Amory and the Earl of Stockton, there was a backbench MP from the Commons. His name: William Hague.
When the chips were down, despite having been knocked about over Europe as leader, Mr Hague agreed to sign up and make a principled stand. That’s why there’s hope for Eurosceptics still today amidst the settling smoke and gunpowder.
