David Blackburn

Clegg sets Cameron a trap over the EU

I’d expected the papers to be full of Nick Clegg’s offer of an ‘In/Out’ EU referendum, should the EU draw up a treaty that would further alter the British constitution. He made the pledge on radio yesterday; he insisted that he would campaign to remain in the EU, but the people should decide. The papers are silent as yet, but I expect Clegg to have another crack this evening.

For all his wide-eyed innocence, Clegg’s a cunning knave. Scenting dissent if not panic among conservatives, Clegg offers eurosceptics 30 pieces of silver. His promise is utterly disingenuous: Clegg’s record on the Lisbon Treaty proves he cannot be trusted, and the manifesto is silent on the issue. It’s nothing more than a fleeting ruse designed to divert attention from the obvious shortcomings of Lib Dem foreign policy, and put the wind-up Cameron by threatening to dilute the right-wing vote unless Cameron makes similar assurances.

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