EU Referendum


The EU: Tories stumble to the departure gate


01/06/2012



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The one thing is seems you can rely upon from the likes of Fraser Nelson – currently filling the op-ed space in the Failygraph - is that they never let a bad idea go to waste. Thus, however many times one points out that Britain's "relationship" with the EU is not the issue, like the proverbial dog, they continue to return to their vomit.

And by this means do we still get perpetrated the idea that Britain can renegotiate our relationship with the EU, when there are only two options, and only ever have been two: in, or out.

Even as the rhetoric for renegotiation strengthens, though, such an option has never been less likely. With the "colleagues" fully occupied with their existential crisis, the very last thing they will want to consider is sitting down with Britain to have a leisurely discussion about "relationships".

That the Tory claque continue to think in such terms strikes one as a form of autism – a complete absence of empathy. There are Fritz and Jacques fighting for the very survival of le projet, and they are expected to break off to deal with the importunate Brits? This seems no more than a very effective way of learning the foreign equivalents of foxtrot oscar.

Maybe, though, this is what the Tories feel they need to do, as a way of turning the supertanker of British policy round, and countenancing a full-frontal exit from the EU. They perhaps need to go through the ritual of trying and failing to renegotiate, in order then to confront the only realistic option.

On the other hand, there is the question of trust. The Conservative hierarchy has a long history of support for the projet, matched by duplicity and bad faith. The slate cannot be wiped clean at a stroke, and anything the Conservatives say or do has to be viewed with the very gravest of suspicion.

In that very context, "renegotiation", far from taking us closer to the exit, is a delaying tactic, or a ploy to divert the public's attention from the withdrawal option.

The test of good faith, of course, could be resolved readily simply – by offering a credible, well-founded plan for a Britain outside the EU, alongside a workable exit plan. These would level the infamous "playing field", and tackle the TINA question which has so often handicapped the eurosceptic cause.

The point about leaving the EU is that it is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. Too often the focus has been on the former, with very little attention given to the latter. Focus on the end and thereby willing the means. Give people a reasoned (and better) alternative and, in the fullness of time, departure becomes a foregone conclusion.

In the meantime, it is more than a little tiresome to see the Conservatives go through their ritual contortions as they struggle towards to the only conclusion that they can make. It is one which has been evident to so many of us for so long, yet they seem to have such difficulty coming to terms with it.

Nevertheless, one is once  reminded of Johnson's comments on women preaching. Slightly modified, one can say of the Tories that, when it comes to discussing departure from the EU, it is not done well, but you are surprised to find it done at all.

For that, at least, we can be grateful. But, as Witterings from Witney wearily complains, do they have to take so long to get there, taking such a tortuous, convoluted route?

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