Tories reconsidering EU policy

Anthony Butcher · 23-11-2004, 03:05 AM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...370872,00.html

Quote:

CONSERVATIVE Eurosceptics are to step up pressure on Michael Howard to harden his party’s policy on the European Union after a poll suggesting that the British people — particularly the young — would back a renegotiation of Britain’s membership terms.

A survey by ICM for the European Foundation over the weekend indicated that 58 per cent agreed that Britain should renegotiate EU treaties so that they were reduced to trade and association agreements.

The poll found that 68 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds backed a policy of renegotiation. It also suggested that

63 per cent of professionals and managers backed that policy, which has always been seen as a crucial step towards withdrawal from the EU. Sixty per cent of the skilled working classes supported it.

There were regional variations. Some 63 per cent of people in the South East and 65 per cent in Scotland supported renegotiation, a stance from which Mr Howard has always kept clear.

Go on, have a poll, have a policy.

mkpdavies · 23-11-2004, 03:17 AM

And they didn't even ask me!

Question is though chaps. If the Tories did make it a manifesto promise to withdraw from the EU, and sign up to a trade agreement, which is what we thought we had signed up to in the first place

. Where would that leave UKIP?

I know, I know it's a pipe dream that isn't going to happen. But humour me. Could we trust them to follow through? Should we, gulp, actualy support them and then make sure they kept the to their promise?

Or has the party now moved on so much that we still felt the need to fight for power, to make sure this country stays great!

In the real world they would never make such a pledge, so UKIP are still the only option. If they did make the promise and then failed to follow through, there would be riots in the streets!

Anthony Butcher · 23-11-2004, 03:23 AM

I suspect that it remains impossible. Just because they say that they are going to "renegotiate" doesn't actually mean anything. Every EU member has to stick to the same core set of rules, and Britain can't pick and choose unless it actually leaves the EU.

Since the Tories aren't willing to leave the EU, what bargaining power do they have? very little.

mkpdavies · 23-11-2004, 03:35 AM

They have already huffed and puffed about renegotiation of some things. We all know that is a bunch of baloney. No, they need to come out and say it, that they will withdraw from the EU, THEN renegotiate trade treaties.

Won't happen, so it's still game on UKIP.

jp · 23-11-2004, 07:40 AM

Polls like these are really heartening. It must give us all positive hopes for the future if the younger ones maintain these opinions

23-11-2004, 03:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	And they didn't even ask me! Question is though chaps. If the Tories did make it a manifesto promise to withdraw from the EU, and sign up to a trade agreement, which is what we thought we had signed up to in the first place . Where would that leave UKIP? I know, I know it's a pipe dream that isn't going to happen. But humour me. Could we trust them to follow through? Should we, gulp, actualy support them and then make sure they kept the to their promise? Or has the party now moved on so much that we still felt the need to fight for power, to make sure this country stays great! In the real world they would never make such a pledge, so UKIP are still the only option. If they did make the promise and then failed to follow through, there would be riots in the streets! __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

23-11-2004, 03:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	They have already huffed and puffed about renegotiation of some things. We all know that is a bunch of baloney. No, they need to come out and say it, that they will withdraw from the EU, THEN renegotiate trade treaties. Won't happen, so it's still game on UKIP. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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23-11-2004, 03:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 9,819 Party: None	I suspect that it remains impossible. Just because they say that they are going to "renegotiate" doesn't actually mean anything. Every EU member has to stick to the same core set of rules, and Britain can't pick and choose unless it actually leaves the EU. Since the Tories aren't willing to leave the EU, what bargaining power do they have? very little.

23-11-2004, 07:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
jp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,000	Polls like these are really heartening. It must give us all positive hopes for the future if the younger ones maintain these opinions