From the Right Side

Iain Dale seems intent on insulting those of his readers who disagree with his support for David Cameron's new European policy.

Frankly, those who start spitting about voting UKIP can bugger off and do just that if it makes them feel better. They may get a momentary warm glow of satisfaction, but what they could end up with is another five years of Gordon Brown. Think on that, if you're one of those people. And then think about the word 'self-indulgent'.

Of course, there could be no self-indulgence in a wannabe Conservative candidate praising Cameron's new approach:

What David Cameron achieved today was to deliver a speech which was gritty, determined, realistic, statesmanlike. There was no bullshit. He just told it how it is.

That should earn him a few brownie points at Tory HQ.

Today, he accuses some of his readers of being "blind to reasoned argument" (i.e. they don't agree with him), and issues the challenge:

Can any of you point to ANY occasion when David Cameron promised a post ratification referendum?

He then goes on to quote Cameron's famous pledge:

Today, I will give this cast-iron guarantee: if I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations. No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum.

I'm sorry Iain, but logically the second sentence does not exclude a referendum if the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified. If he is to be consistent in this hair-splitting approach, then he cannot accuse Brown of reneging on a promise of a referendum:

Some people seem to have forgotten that it was Gordon Brown who reneged on his manifesto pledge for a referendum, not David Cameron.

The Labour Party Manifesto for the 2005 election said:

The new Constitutional Treaty ensures the new Europe can work effectively, and that Britain keeps control of key national interests like foreign policy, taxation, social security and defence.The Treaty sets out what the EU can do and what it cannot. It strengthens the voice of national parliaments and governments in EU affairs. It is a good treaty for Britain and for the new Europe.We will put it to the British people in a referendum and campaign whole-heartedly for a 'Yes' vote to keep Britain a leading nation in Europe.

So, no mention of the Lisbon Treaty. Using Iain Dale's semantic logic, there was no pledge for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, so there was no breaking of a manifesto commitment.

Except, of course, we know that there was.

Both Brown and Cameron have broken promises on holding a referendum, and they have both done it for reasons of political expediency. It is no surprise that party politicians will allow party advantage and the retention or gaining of power to trump principles and the national interest. They, and their supporters, should at least have the honesty to admit it.