Blair and Howard clash on EU Constitution

Wednesday, 27 October 2004 12:00 AM

Tony Blair and Michael Howard clashed in the Commons on Wednesday lunchtime over Friday's signing of the European Constitution.

In a bad tempered exchange, both accused the other of being "gutless" in their actions on Europe.

The EU Constitution is due to be signed by EU heads of state on Friday, but it will have to be ratified by all member states within two years. A number of countries, among them Britain, France and Spain, have already said that they will hold a referendum before ratifying the treaty.

In his attack on the treaty, Mr Howard quoted Derek Scott, the Prime Minister's former economic adviser, as saying it would "entrench Europe's economic failings and drag Britain down too", and claimed the aforementioned adviser had said that the Government had not taken any coherent position with regards to the EU Constitution and accused the Prime Minister of being "gutless".

Responding, Mr Blair argued that the EU Constitution will modernise the EU's institutions - something essential in a 25 member state - and would protect the UK's right to set its own taxes, foreign policy as well as retaining the opt-in on asylum.

He described it as a "sensible deal for this country", insisting that millions of British jobs depend on being in the EU, and claimed that the Conservatives want to use the treaty as a basis on which to renegotiate membership of the EU - adding "and that means getting out of Europe".

Turning his fire on the Conservative leader, Mr Blair said: "It's gutless to run from UKIP" adding "a true leader would stand up to UKIP not run from them".

Mr Blair said that a pledge to try and renegotiate the UK's conditions of European membership would either result in "humiliation" for Britain or withdrawal.

Continuing, he said: "I agree that sometimes it's difficult to make the case for Europe in Britain," - but pledged to keep on making it.

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