Labour can capitalise on the Tories’ increasing division over Europe

By James Alexander

Labour promised a referendum on the European constitution. This constitution failed to become a reality after facing opposition across Europe. Some of the good elements of the constitution that attempt to streamline the European Union have become a part of the Lisbon Treaty. The Labour government has signed Britain up to Lisbon. No referendum is being held regarding the treaty, as is usual practice.

This is no different to when John Major’s government signed the European Maastricht Treaty or arguably when Margaret Thatcher’s government joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. Therefore, I think it has been hypocritical and opportunistic for David Cameron to argue that Britain needs a referendum on Lisbon. It smells of short-term political gain at the expense of the long-term interests of the country.

But at least Cameron has stuck to his guns, right? Wrong.

ConservativeHome, the website that is well-known in the Conservative Party and represents the Conservative grassroots, has announced that Cameron will not push for a referendum on Europe should the treaty pass. This is despite Cameron saying to his new Tory chums, The Sun:

“Today, I will give this cast-iron guarantee: If I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations.”

But instead of that, Cameron will now attempt to do what’s worked for him before; secure his position with Tory Eurosceptics by marginalising Britain to the fringes of Europe. Leaving the mainstream centre-right EPP group to ally with the Latvian For Fatherland and Freedom party (that celebrates collaboration with the Nazi Waffen-SS against the Russians) and the Polish Law and Justice party (who have said homosexuals should not be teachers) shows that he is not bothered about his party’s or Britain’s reputation in Europe or the wider world. He is more concerned with his own reputation amongst the likes of Redwood, Davis and Tebbit.

Former Tory MEPs have said the decision to leave the EPP was “stupid” and that the party was swapping an alliance with the mainstream parties of Sarkozy and Merkel for extremists and “odds and sods”. Since this embarrassing debacle, Hilary Clinton has expressed alarm that a break in relations between a possible future Tory Government and mainstream Europe would diminish Britain’s ability to be a bridge between Europe and America and diminish the special relationship.

This would reduce how Britain is seen in the world. Michael Heseltine has warned the Conservative leadership in a private meeting that Clinton is right and Cameron has got it wrong on Europe and that he would be forced into a humiliating retreat if he wins power. Hesteltine predicts that the Tories will have to rejoin the EPP soon after the general election. Even former European Tory Leader, Edward Macmillan-Scott MEP has spoken out against the move – and has subsequently been chucked out of the party. There are even calls for John Redwood to lead a re-negotiation of Britain’s relationship with Europe.

The Conservatives are beginning to once again tear themselves apart over Europe. As ConservativeHome states:

“Internal divisions that ended the last Tory period in government will look like a tea party in comparison.”

UKIP could be key to reducing Tory votes in key marginals across the country next spring. Labour should help them on their way during the general election campaign, as Europe remains a central issue.