I didn't believe it when Matthew Elliot said that the Lisbon Treaty needed to be re-ratified. I still find it hard to believe. Are we really saying that the Greeks and Germans will be seeking to re-ratify a Treaty at this moment? And if so, how sure are we that they'll actually do it?
But, if it really is the case that there must be re-ratification, what happens in Greece and Germany is a matter for the Greeks and Germans. We in Britain have a matter before us. Should we ratify, should we call a referendum, should we refuse to ratify, should we say we will ratify but only if we can re-negotiate?
The Editor appears to believe that Cameron will simply seek to ratify. To do otherwise - to, for example, insist on a referendum or a renegotiation, would bring down the Coalition. That might well be true.
I supported Cameron's policy once Lisbon's original ratification had gone through, when others condemned him. I believe that Cameron is by instinct a Eurosceptic - one of the few things on which I think he has true conviction (ID cards being another). I have, however, been consistently concerned that, for all the merits of the policy, Cameron may regard renegotiation of our relationship within the EU as a low priority.
Now it's decision time. You know what I think: we should use this, along with the further Treaty that must be implemented now to introduce European Economic governance, to renegotiate. I don't believe we need a referendum for that. But my view on that could change. After all, the point of many of those seeking a referendum is that the politicians cannot be trusted on Europe and must have their discretion curtailed by plebiscite.
The moment of testing comes. For Cameron, the question is: Are you the Real Deal on Europe as we've hoped since you were elected leader (and indeed that was a key reason we chose you)? And if refusing to re-ratify without renegotiation would indeed bring down the Coalition, then I have this question for Conservative MPs and for the wider Conservative Party: Is the difference between being in government and being in opposition that in opposition we are permitted to vote against adding to the EU treaties whilst in government we must vote in favour?
