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June 16, 2004
Europe
Interesting article in today's Independant regarding the funds available to the Foreign Office to promote Europe in this country. Currently the budget is £200,000, or the equivalent of 4 days spending on British security contractors in Iraq. Obviously the government would like to spend more, but there are only 2 sources of funding open to it, either the tax payers or the EU itself. In light of the recent election success of the UKIP, then asking a euro-sceptic public to stump up funding would appear counter-productive, increasing irritation with Europe which in turn would offset any additional Yes votes raised. In addition the No campaigners could then legitimately demand equivalent public funding, with considerable justification. Which pretty much rules out the use of public funds, at least openly. But going to the EU would be equally unpalatable, provoking an anti-EU backlash as well.Yet Blair is determined to deliver a Yes vote in the referendum, which implies that either the government will seek private funding from pro-Europe sponsors, or else try and hide any public or EU funding. If public funding is used, then one has to wonder at Gordon Brown's position on the matter. Whilst openly against handing over any control of fiscal policy to Brussels, he may well be more flexible on other matters. And perhaps Brown sees the EU referendum as his way into Number 10. Let Tony deliver an election victory, albeit with a massively reduced majority, then stump up the cash for a referendum before becoming Prime Minister. This would leave Blair as a convenient scapegoat for a Brown administration, but is a dangerous gamble that relies on Blair delivering at least a working majority.
Update - 16:35 - And judging by this Sun article it would appear that Rupert Murdoch is throwing his weight behind the No campaign. In fact I haven't seen the Sun put the boot into Blair this much before; likening him to Neville Chamberlain selling out the Czechs; describing Blair as a man with no ears; and pretty much accusing him of lying.
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Posted by Clive on June 16, 2004 2:56 PM in the category Old Stuff