Who’s side is Ken Clarke on? He’s certainly not on the Conservative’s side…
The EU, as far as Tories are concerned, is a finished debate:
- The EU is undemocratic
- The EU is not value-for-money
- The EU does not represent the UK’s (or England’s) best interests
If Ken cannot accept that, that is fine, but he really should stop trying to derail the party over it. Cameron’s honeymoon has been stopped short by a member of his own cabinet – where’s the sense in that?
Mirrored on: Cameron Leadership Blog
Corrected thanks to Paul for the link correction.
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#1 by Paul Brookfield on December 12th, 2005 - 10:05 pm
You might want to rectify that Cameron Leadership Blog link – it’s actually here: http://www.cameronleadership.co.uk/2005/12/why-ken-why/
I’m an independent, but I want to get out of the overly centralising, wasteful, bureaucratic monster that is the European Union and let the other countries do as they like.
Personally I think our United Kingdom would be far better served by having a free-trade agreement with the EU, but that’s all.
#2 by Gav on December 13th, 2005 - 6:02 pm
Free-trade would be an excellent plan – I would even consider a similar level of cooperation as Norway enjoys.
On the CAP, New Zealand has proved that agricultural subsidies do not work. And the EU is the main barrier to a global free-trade agreement at the Hong Kond summit…
#3 by Political Thinker on December 13th, 2005 - 7:27 pm
The major problem with Ken is that he is both good and bad at the same time. Yes, he’ll divide us on Europe, but at the same time he is a likable politician and most if not all trust him.
He is a gamble, and his views in regards to the European Union are at odds with the rest of the voluntary party (most MPs are broadly pro-EU), but he can communicate with the public and get the right message across in ways our other MPs – including David Cameron – cannot.
Also I disagree that the European Union is a finished matter. We are not in favour of it as it is, but where should the party align itself – favouring a more flexible “European Alliance†or withdrawing completely? This question is still to be answered, and I fear will never be answered due to the divisions it alone can cause.
Not even David Cameron wishes for Britain alone to control its own future.
#4 by Gav on December 13th, 2005 - 11:21 pm
I know PT, I know… Sadly I think those that call for a more flexible European Alliance (nice description, can I use it?) are asking for something that is just not on offer…