European Affairs

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Justice – in the House of Commons at 8:02 pm on 11 December 2007.

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Photo of Austin Mitchell Austin Mitchell Labour, Great Grimsby 8:02, 11 December 2007

After saying that, my hon. Friend accuses me of being confused. Has he thought of joining the Liberal Democrats in their mess on this issue?

The truth is that our previous Prime Minister was naively enthusiastic about Europe and thought that, as a great persuader, he could persuade the people to accept the constitution, which he wanted. The present Prime Minister is more sceptical about the whole business—good on him—and regards it as a nuisance. It is something that he has to put up with, which is how the previous Prime Minister regarded Parliament. The present Prime Minister wonders why he should waste his authority on fighting a battle in Europe that he will lose because the majority will be against him and then on putting it to the British people in a referendum that he knows he will also lose. That is how people decide whether to have a referendum—they ask, "Will I win or will I lose?" The Government know that they will lose, so they are not having a referendum, but that displays an intellectual contempt for the British people.