Brown could be forced into british referendum: William Hague

[eurosceptic]

The tories supported the EEC concept as do i with reservations. Thatcher claims she was misled about SEA (you may or may not believe her) by the rest of the EEC. The tory leadership was stuffed with europhiles in the early 90's and agreed to maastrict after some deception by major (he requested the english language version of maastrict be suppressed until after british ratification). This time i think the tories are genuinely eurosceptic and will renegotiate british membership.
Brown was hoping lisbon/EC would be old news by 2010. The threat of a spanking in the europeans might just might force his hand.

[seabhcan]

The tories supported the EEC concept as do i with reservations. Thatcher claims she was misled about SEA (you may or may not believe her) by the rest of the EEC. The tory leadership was stuffed with europhiles in the early 90's and agreed to maastrict after some deception by major (he requested the english language version of maastrict be suppressed until after british ratification). This time i think the tories are genuinely eurosceptic and will renegotiate british membership.
Brown was hoping lisbon/EC would be old news by 2010. The threat of a spanking in the europeans might just might force his hand.

Personally, I'd love to see the British 'renegotiate' their membership. A few years in the cold would do them the world of good.

[eurosceptic]

How would they be "in the cold"?. In fact how would anyone be "in the cold"? Denmark renegotiated its membership in 1993 and danish people dont seem to suffer in any way.

[FutureTaoiseach]

In another interview today, Hague suggests a UK referendum may happen even after the Treaty comes into force, if the Tories come to power.

Perhaps the biggest issue in EU politics at present is the Lisbon Treaty. The Tories are committed to holding a referendum on the treaty, in the United Kingdom, if it has not been ratified before a new parliament. In these circumstances Hague’s party will recommend a ‘no’ vote. Additionally, the shadow minister has indicated that, even if the treaty were to be ratified, prior to a general election, the Conservatives will consider holding a poll anyway, on the grounds that ratification would not have the democratic endorsement of the British people.

[Ulster-Lad]

Well Sarkozy and Merkel are not happy with the Tories and have threatened them with isolation. One could only guess the pressure being put on Ireland at this stage.

In a thinly veiled attack made in Berlin, the German Chancellor threatened David Cameron with ostracism from the EU's powerful Franco-German alliance."France and Germany are the engine of Europe. We refuse to stretch out our hand to those who oppose the Lisbon Treaty but who at the same time talk about enlargement," Chancellor Merkel said.

Compounding the problem for Germany and France, Mr Cameron has quit the European Parliament's main centre-right grouping the European People's Party (EPP), snubbing an alliance with Mr Sarkozy's UMP and Miss Merkel's CDU parties.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...on-Treaty.html