Lots of sound, heat, and fury in the Commons yesterday but not much light shed on the issue of how Britain's increasingly contorted policy towards Europe and European issues might be resolved. Both main political leaders set at each other with a will, but although their abuse becomes ever more inventive it cannot be said that their current policies become any more convincing. The task of the Tories is to suggest that the Government is being driven along by the momentum of European federalisers and that Mr Blair is either unwilling or unable to break free from their grip. For his part, the Prime Minister has the somewhat easier job of suggesting that the Leader of the Opposition is in thrall to the lunatic fringe of Eurosceptics in the Tory party who want no truck with Europe whatsoever. This task is easier, let it be said, only because the Tory party has a well-
documented history of sheltering figures from the outer limits of anti-Europeanism, some of whom have undoubtedly seemed at times to be clinically unhinged.
The problems of the Tory party do not, however, let Mr Blair off the hook on which he dangles at the moment. It is all very well to blame Mr Lafontaine for pushing European policy further than it should ever have gone, but it is
simply wrong to suggest that he is an isolated figure for there are other powerful voices in Europe pushing for integration of a sort which Britain would find difficult. It is possible that a middle way (dare we say a third way) might yet be found, but it will be more difficult because of the German presidency of the EU which begins in the New Year and which coincides with the launch of the euro. The Germans are determined to use their presidency to good effect, pushing through the action plan for budgetary reform by March. Their presidency is likely to offer a
lively contrast to the most recent British presidency which was marked by confusion, ill-
preparedness and a general lack of direction. Fence-sitting, as we have said many times, is an uncomfortable if necessary business, but with Mr Brown clearly rattled and Mr Blair losing his temper with increasing frequency, there is now a need for a clearer vision of the way ahead.
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