SIMON EMMETT . net

Much has been made about the “European question” recently. Mainly, it must be admitted, by the left-wing media (primed by Lord Mandleson it would seem) in an attempt to try and stir up divisions within the Conservative party. But the thing is the Conservative’s position on Europe is far nearer the mainstream opinion in Britain.

Britain is generally Euro-sceptic. Most people see the benefit of being part of Europe, just not ruled by it. It’s in our genes. In our history Britain has been the leader, it had an empire, Europe looked to Britain during the war for leadership, it has always been the nation in charge.

That is why so many people do not trust the EU, it sees it as a federal state that is eroding our stature on the world stage, and that will only get worse under the Lisbon Treaty, and on the “coronation” of its new President.

If, as new reports are correct and the Czech President signs up to the Lisbon treaty, then the very real prospect of Tony Blair returning to the EU is as President will do nothing to abate that scepticism. After all, Blair left office under a cloud. He may have put out the image of having left a “legacy”, but in reality the questions and the animosity over going to war in Iraq hung over him, and with an inquiry into that war about to start, it will do nothing for his credentials in this country. If anything it will make Britain even more Euro-sceptic with him just being there.

David Cameron’s position of wanting to hold a referendum on the treaty before it came into force, now seems to unavailable to him and the party. But will I hold him responsible if we can’t get out of the treaty? No! Of course I won’t. The only person I will blame is Gordon Brown! It was him who signed the treaty. It was him who didn’t even have the bottle to sign it in front of the cameras. It was Gordon Brown who broke Labour’s election manifesto pledge to have a referendum on the EU constitution.

So before the media try and make up the splits in the Conservative party over Europe they should really look at what the party are in full agreement on, the selling away of our sovereignty and broken promises of Gordon Brown. That is why the nation is Euro-sceptic, and if Blair is made EU President, you can only expect that to get worse.