Search for an EU deal
- 15 Jun 07, 03:31 PM
Tony Blair's last few days in office will be dominated by the search for an EU deal which the rest of Europe will buy and which British voters can stomach without demanding a referendum. He, like so many prime ministers before him, risks angering both the pro-Europeans and the Eurosceptics at the same time.
Just look at what he or his ministers have said and done in the long long run up to this week's EU summit.
At first his ministers called the EU constitution merely "a tidying up" exercise - thus infuriating the Eurosceptics. Now, he insists that the constitution is dead even though he actually signed it - thus infuriating the pro-Europeans.
At first, his ministers said that the had no more legal status than - angering the Eurosceptics. Now, he says the charter is unacceptable to Britain as it would override British law - angering... ok, you're there now.
At first he said there was no need for a referendum. Then there was a need. Now there isn't, providing, of course, that it's not really a constitution in disguise.
Not perhaps the ideal communications strategy.
