Letters to the Editor | 6 October 2007

Arnie on the big screen

Sir: There’s no truth in Fraser Nelson’s suggestion that Governor Schwarzenegger changed his schedule in response to polls or any other political considerations (‘This will be Cameron’s finest hour’, 29 September). The Governor was delighted by the opportunity to speak to the Conservative conference, and only regrets that other responsibilities prevented him from making an appearance. We’re grateful that technology allowed the Governor to appear via a video link. Governor Schwarzenegger appreciated Mr Cameron’s invitation and was pleased to highlight how California’s move away from hardline partisanship has helped the Governor’s administration achieve groundbreaking new policies. Mr Cameron is realising a similar opportunity with the Conservative party, and the Governor was proud to share the stage with him.

Adam Mendelsohn
Deputy chief of staff for communications, Sacramento, California

The Treaty — to and fro

Sir: Nigel Lawson is wrong to claim that the Reform Treaty will abolish the need for parliamentary approval of changes to the EU treaties (‘Sorry, minister’, 29 September). The Reform Treaty will introduce a new, general ‘passerelle’ that provides for simplified treaty revision procedures. Its use will still need to be agreed unanimously by all national governments and all national parliaments. So MPs and peers at Westminster will retain a veto. It should also be noted that ‘passerelle clauses’ were first introduced by the Single European Act under Margaret Thatcher.

Jim Murphy MP
Minister for Europe, London SW1

Sir: Nigel Lawson is absolutely right. Here in Holland the Dutch government has also decided to dodge the thorny subject of a referendum on the Reform Treaty in exactly the same way — by pretending it isn’t another EU constitution.

The administration here knows full well that, as in 2005, the people would once again vote a resounding ‘no’ to a European Union that has doubled their cost of living, has no democratically elected government, has a parliament that rubberstamps its every decision, and has backtracked on most important commitments it made.