New EU Referendum?

[Gromit]

// David Cameron was facing the unwelcome prospect last night of a referendum on Europe after Germany called for a new EU treaty to strength the rules of the eurozone.

The move is particularly unhelpful to Mr Cameron, who would want to develop a good working relationship with the EU after years of hostility, and particularly with its Centre Right leaders. Tories fear that any referendum in Britain could turn into a wider debate on whether Britain should stay in the EU.

http://www.timesonlin...d=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

But will it tear the Tories apart again?

[New Judge]

The question is academic.

There will be no need for further EU treaties. The Lisbon Treaty (and, yes, I have read it) gives the EU all the power it needs to control virtually every aspect of the member nation’s economy and there is already talk (without mention of a new Treaty) that the EU will in future need to “sign off” the UK’s budget proposals, with the power to veto anything they do not like.

The only fly in the ointment is that the UK is not a member of the Euro bloc and it makes life a little inconvenient for France and Germany to make decisions whilst this persists, particularly if they want more cash. (The UK’s contributions to the EU have recently been raised from £6bn to £9bn under another pretext). Nonetheless, Cameron was on absolutely safe ground when he suggested that any future treaties would be subject to a referendum. He knows, as do all politicians, that there will be none. There is no need.

Accordingly, the only issue surrounding Europe that may tear the Tories asunder is if enough cross-party support can be mustered to propose that the UK leaves the EU. There is far less chance of this than of Portsmouth avoiding relegation this season.

[R1Geezer]

As the judge says, no new treaties are necessary, our subjugaion is complete.

[Gromit]

The UK currently have an opt-out from European policies (Under the Lisbon Treaty) concerning asylum, visas and immigration. Under the new treaty they have the right to opt in or out of any policies in the entire field of justice and home affairs.

[modeller]

Then why don't we opt out ? The European court frequently overrules our verdicts . At the moment anyone , at great expence to us , can take their case to the EU, despite it being thrown out by our appeal courts and the House of Lords.
Cameron has said very little about the EU because he knows as long as we are full members there is nothing we can do.

[New Judge]

The opt-outs that Gromit mentions will not be used. No UK government wants to be seen as "bad Europeans".

They will gradully be removed.