Blair's EU flip-flopping

Statement from William Hague today on how Blair must ensure the EU constitution is not brought in through back door:

“It is hard to take what Tony Blair says about the EU Constitution at face value. Four and a half years ago he said that ‘we do need a proper Constitution for Europe’ which would be ‘a settlement to last a generation or more’ for a Europe that could be a ‘superpower’. Now, without any explanation why, he tells us how important it is that we drop the whole idea of a European Constitution. Surely he must understand that such a U-turn leaves him with very little credibility with either the British public or our European partners. It is not enough to change the title. Tony Blair is silent on all the key questions of what is in the new Treaty - on an EU foreign minister, on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and more. The sad fact is that under Tony Blair Britain has followed, not led, in Europe. We need leadership, and that must mean a clear statement of Britain’s goals in Europe. That is the least we need to be sure that the Government will not weakly let the Constitution be brought in through the back door under a different label.”

Deputy Editor

Comments

[michael mcgough]

Banging on a little about Europe just in time for the May elections.

[Elaib]

Well, what Blair says is pretty irrelevant now, he doesn't have the authority to do anything. However, up until now he has brought whole swathes of the Constitution through the back door, and I can bet that a Brown Government will do the same.

This is of course all very well, but what will Hague do about it? How will he stop the current state of affairs. What will he propose on the reckoning that Labour will get most of the Constitution through before the next eelction? How wil he turn back the clock, or will he do so at all?

[John Ashworth]

You are correct Elaib, William Hague has no intention of turning the EU back, or even stopping the forward march. Remember when William said at Conference "Come with me and I will give you back your country". He has never once said anything that gives credibility that that would be achieved. In fact he is only saying now what he said in 1998.

[Richard]

"Banging on a little about Europe just in time for the May elections."

It may not gain votes but I doubt it will lose any. Too many people are keen to vote against Labour.

[michael mcgough]

"You are correct Elaib, William Hague has no intention of turning the EU back, or even stopping the forward march."

Spot on John.In the EPP and ruled by the EPP.

[Mike A]

I'm saddened by the rabid Europhobia in the Party.

I'm a Europhile - am I no longer Tory?

[purple people eater]

This is from the guy who ruled out joining the Euro for one term only. This is just opportunist politics playing to the Eurosceptic Gallery which will last until May 3rd. The Tories have tried this on so many times it's now just a joke. In Europe and ruled by Europe is the reality of the Conservatives position and always has been.

[Richard]

"This is just opportunist politics playing to the Eurosceptic Gallery which will last until May 3rd."

You would be referring to the majority of the public then? it never ceases to amaze me how the ardent Europhiles manage to ignore the opinion polls and assume the public is on their side.

[Matt Davis]

As ever a small crumb thrown to the eurosceptic majority within the party just to make sure that they turn out to work at the imminent elections. As soon as that's done it will be back to europhile business as usual and bugger the views of the membership and the electorate. What a shabbily cynical manouvre.

[Jonathan]

Flip flopping on promises on the EU is not something that CCHQ can afford to comment on is it?

[Richard Tyndall]

"I'm saddened by the rabid Europhobia in the Party.

I'm a Europhile - am I no longer Tory?"

I hope not but I suspect that you and the other dinosaurs will hang around a little longer yet.

[Tapestry]

Sad Conservative europhiles need not be so. They should be enjoying William Hague's double speak - starting with his 2001 election platform - 'keep the Pound (in big letters)- but only for one Parliament (in the small print)' to 'Leave the EPP' but 'not yet' threatening any MEP's breaking ranks and leaving the EPP with deselection - to his current meaningless EU waffle.

Hague is not schizophrenic. He is consistently deceitful, allowing Blair and Brown to conceal their rampant europhilia, as they break up the UK into regions, destroy our pensions, sell off gold reserves, scare off oil companies, underfund the armed services and do anything else which satisfies the petty jealousies of their masters in Brussels.

Hague is a long standing member of the Bildeberg Group - meeting in secret and promoting the EU. I'm sad that Hague is still part of the deception programme to eliminate opposition to the EUisation of Britain.

[Charlemagne]

Tory Party talking about Europe? There must be an election coming up! Next week: Osborne on why tax cuts are essential.

Not sure it's clever this bunch talking about flip flopping on the EU.

[John Coles]

I have watched Mr Hague re-inventing himself, shuffling from the right wing into the soggy middle ground of the party, thinking no one has the attention span to notice. Utterly untrustworthy.

[George Hinton]

So, when does Hague say we will have a referendum?. The day after the Tories are elected into power?.
Blair is a busted flush, he has been outed as a serial liar and as unscrupulous as any bent politician, with an empty wallet to fill, at someone else's expense.
Blair's comments on the EU Constitution are posturing, part of his vainglorious attempt to become the first EU PM and to complete his legacy. Gordo will ensure that it will all come unstuck. In the meantime time for another No 10 petition, just to get the message across.

[Gospel of Enoch]

"In Europe, not run by Europe" again? It's time for an update, folks: "In the EPP, not leaving the EPP"...