Britannist

News of David Cameron, the anti-UKIP and pro-EU leader of the Conservative Party:

Quentin Letts, the Daily Mail columnist, said on the James Whale ‘show’ on TalkSport radio at 11.18 pm on 8.11.2006 “The Conservatives did not oppose an extradition bill between the USA and UK (which came up for debate in the House of Commons on 7.11.2006) which allows the USA to ask for the extradition of anyone in the UK – even though the British Government and UK authorities can’t do the same back. There are two theories as to why this one-way treaty (to the advantage of the USA) wasn’t challenged by the Conservatives. One is that they (the Conservatives) were keen to get off from work yesterday and did not want to delay the Ceremonial closing of Parliament in time for next week’s State Opening of Parliament (by opposing the USA-UK extradition bill). The other theory is that the Sun newspaper has been very critical of the Conservatives recently (for backing an Iraq ‘war’ enquiry) and David Cameron, the Conservative leader, did not wish to upset the Sun (newspaper) again over America by opposing the extradition treaty.”

Mr. Letts agreed with presenter James Whale that the treaty means that he or anyone else could be extradited to America if the authorities in the USA decided that they were saying something critical of the USA and might be (allegedly) involved in terrorist acts against America or American targets.

Mr. Whale complained “This is a farcical treaty we’ve just signed with America (USA). Why are we giving in to the yanks the whole time?”

* The Sun newspaper is the best-selling daily newspaper in the UK.
** TalkSport radio is available on 1053 and 1089 medium wave (AM); on satellite, cable, the internet and via ‘Freeview’ (set top box).