Minister contradicts Blair and Brown on Euro

mkpdavies · 04-12-2004, 05:56 AM

He's at it again! What is going on?

Quote:

DENIS MacShane, the Minister for Europe, has said he considers Gordon Brown’s five economic tests for joining the single European currency to be a "giant red herring", in candid comments which bring him INTO phpbb_conflict with the Chancellor and official government policy.

Mr MacShane also said that the European Union Constitution "won’t be the last word" in European integration, contrary to government policy, and that it would be better for the British government to attempt "to scrap" the European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) than to reform it.

You KNOW there is an easier way of getting out of the CAP!

Quote:

Speaking in Durham, he also said that though the north-east of England had voted against a regional assembly in a referendum two months ago, England’s regions would eventually have to embrace devolution.

Sorry people, we don't care what you want, just do as we tell you o.k.

Quote:

"If you think any Labour MP saying the Prime Minister’s most important policy is a red herring, then they would not survive long in the job."

Quote:

When later told that there was a clear recording of his Durham speech using those exact words, Mr MacShane then conceded he had used the phrase - but then claimed he was describing eurosceptic arguments. Mr MacShane insisted: "The thought that, after three years as a minister, I would say anything on the euro other than what’s the government’s position is absolutely barmy."

I'm not quite sure how this guy is still in a job. He is all over the shop!

Anthony Butcher · 04-12-2004, 09:24 AM

Source please? This one is going on the Lib Dem forum!

C_steam · 04-12-2004, 10:57 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4067777.stm

The best bit is:-

Quote:

"The thought that, after three years as a minister, I would say anything on the euro other than what's the government's position is absolutely barmy," he told the paper. He said he would never contradict "my beloved prime minister and my adored chancellor".

I suggest the last bit is sarcasm!

mkpdavies · 04-12-2004, 03:44 PM

I could have sworn I posted the link. I must be going mad in my old age. Anyway, cheers C_steam

Anthony Butcher · 05-12-2004, 02:43 AM

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/poli...?id=1389422004

Quote:

"On the euro and other things, we’ve waited for the economics to be right on that," he said, in reference to the five specific economic tests Mr Brown has insisted since 1998 must be passed before scrapping the pound.

Then, in an aside, he added: "Although that was always a bit of a giant red herring."

Telegraph Article

Quote:

Minister retracts 'giant red herring' jibe on euro tests

The Foreign Office and the Treasury mounted a damage limitation exercise yesterday after the Minister for Europe was quoted describing Gordon Brown's five economic tests for joining the single-European currency as "a giant red-herring".

Officials rushed out statements claiming that Denis MacShane, who has a reputation for being outspoken, had made an off-the-cuff remark which had been taken out of context. Some said that it was meant as a joke.

The remarks, however - to an audience of students at the University of Durham - sent ripples of alarm through Whitehall as opposition MPs seized on them as evidence that the Government was being less than straight on the issue of euro entry.

Mr MacShane strongly denied applying the words to Mr Brown's preconditions for euro membership, despite the existence of a tape recording. He said that he must have been referring to eurosceptic arguments.

Oh dear, Mr McShane now you have been caught out lying as well.

04-12-2004, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,832 Party: Libertarian Party	I could have sworn I posted the link. I must be going mad in my old age. Anyway, cheers C_steam __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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04-12-2004, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 10,140 Party: None	Source please? This one is going on the Lib Dem forum!