The Lisbon Treaty has finally been ratified by all EU member states, now UK conservatives must backtrack on their pledge to organize a referendum to the Treaty.

Since they left the mainstream conservative EPP Group in the European Parliament the Tories have moved deeper into Euro scepticism, forming an alliance with more hard line right-wing parties. Now, in an attempt to save face following the Treaty’s ratification, Conservative leader David Cameron has come up with six points to reform UK-EU relations which he plans to put into practice should the Tories win next year’s elections. These points include restoring powers “handed out to Europe” – such as social and employment legislation – and a guarantee that in the future no more powers are given to the EU. But Cameron’s policies risk, should the Tories win the elections, isolating the UK and weakening Europe in a time of crisis – a time when EU should work even more closely together.

Should the Tories win the elections, these developments risk isolating the UK and weaken Europe in a time of crisis – a time when EU should work even more closely together.


Read PES President article “Why Cameron’s isolationist European policy is a cul-de-sac for Britain”