We will not accept the Lisbon Treaty: Tories

[Almanac]

In a stunning interview with Der Spiegel Mark Francois, Shadow Minister for Europe, states that the Conservatives will not accept the Lisbon Treaty and will strive to halt the march towards a federal Europe:

[FONT=Verdana]Auf die EU kommen ungemütliche Zeiten zu, falls die britischen Konservativen wie erwartet die nächste Regierung bilden. Im Interview mit SPIEGEL ONLINE droht Schatten-Europaminister Mark Francois, den verhassten Lissabon-[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Vertrag zu torpedieren - selbst nach seinem Inkrafttreten.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][COLOR=#ff00ff][Difficult times lie ahead for the EU if, as expected, the British Conservatives form the next government. In an interview with SpiegelOnline Mark Francois, the Shadow Minister for Europe, threatens to torpedo the Lisbon Treaty even if it has entered into force]... [/COLOR][/FONT]


[SIZE=4][SIZE=2]...Francois: Wir teilen nicht die bundesstaatliche Vision der Europäischen Volkspartei für die Zukunft der EU. Wir sind gegen den Lissabon-Vertrag.[COLOR=#ff00ff] [We don't share the federal vision of the EPP for Europe's future; we are against the Lisbon Treaty.][/COLOR] Wir haben das in der EVP über Jahre debattiert, aber konnten uns nicht durchsetzen. Also haben wir entschieden, dass es ehrlicher ist zu gehen.[COLOR=#ff00ff] [We've debated this with the EPP for years but couldn't our view across. We have decided it's more honourable to go.][/COLOR] Wir werden eine neue Mitte-rechts-Fraktion mit einigen Alliierten bilden, die die Verfassungsfragen der EU anders sieht. Es ist besser, gute Nachbarn zu sein als schlechte Mieter, hat David Cameron mal gesagt. Wir fühlen uns wohler mit ein bisschen mehr Distanz.[/SIZE][COLOR=#ff00ff][SIZE=2][We'll build a new centre-right group with allies who share our view on constitutionasl issues. It is better to be good neighbours rather than bad partners as David Cameron has already said. We'll feel happier if we distance ourselves somewhat][/SIZE][/COLOR][/SIZE]

Source

[toxic avenger]

If he did say that then he will get a flea in the ear from the leadership once they see it. They have been very careful thus far to say that they support a referendum, and a 'no' in a referendum, but not to say that they'd reverse it once ratified. If he said it, he was speaking out of line from his party...

[Almanac]

Yes he's stated that even if Lisbon is ratified they [the Tories] will not let it rest:

Francois:

Wenn der Lissabon-Vertrag in Kraft tritt, bevor wir in der Regierung sind, werden wir dies nicht auf sich beruhen lassen. Der Vertrag hat keine demokratische Legitimität in Großbritannien, und wir werden ihn nicht als Fait accompli akzeptieren.
[COLOR=#ff00ff][[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff00ff]"if Lisbon enters into force before we are in Government, we will not just let it rest. The Treaty does not have democratic legitimacy in Great Britain, and we will not accept it as a fait accompli."]

[/COLOR]

[FutureTaoiseach]

Here's hoping.

[mccafferty cat]

"Stunning interview"?

This has been Tory policy for over a year

[FutureTaoiseach]

"Stunning interview"?

This has been Tory policy for over a year

In fact up to now they were promising a referendum on withdrawl from Lisbon and even then only if it hadn't already come to force. Talking about reversing it after it came into force is new.

[Almanac]

For the sake of total accuracy, I have put in "not accept" instead of "overturn" but what they are effectively threatening to do is to hold a retrospective referendum regardless of whether or not Lisbon has otherwise been universally ratified.

It is a new position for their party.

[Almanac]

I received the interview and translation from Anthony Coughlan. He is usually fairly accurate and posted this precisely because it is a change in the Tories' position.

They are becoming even more hardline.

[marmurr1916]

If the Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all member-states, then its provisions come into effect.

Once that happens, the only effective way for a country to 'de-ratify' would be to withdraw from the EU...

[toxic avenger]

"Stunning interview"?

This has been Tory policy for over a year

If they are now saying they'll reverse ratification then it is entirely new (I'm not sure that is what's being said, and if it is, that it's party policy). What's YFG policy on holding a big pair of melons in your hands?