Blair and Hague Clash in Commons Over Europe

Strategic Insights -

Tony Blair clashed with William Hague in the Commons over Europe, with the Prime Minister taunting the Tories by claiming that Margaret Thatcher was still the real leader of the party. Mr Blair ridiculed Mr Hague's plan to tour the country in a lorry to convince voters to stay out of the European single currency, saying "She should be driving the lorry." The row came during a confrontation over the Tampere European Council, where the UK had agreed to support British national interests. However, Mr Hague accused the PM of giving away Britain's right to make its own decisions, and claimed that the EU was pushing for a more centralized Europe.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Prime Minister Tony Blair clashed with William Hague in the Commons over Europe, accusing the Tory leader of being a puppet of Margaret Thatcher.
  • Mr Blair ridiculed Mr Hague's plan to tour the country in a lorry to convince voters to stay out of the European single currency.
  • The row came during a confrontation over the Tampere European Council, where the UK had agreed to support British national interests.
  • Mr Hague accused the PM of giving away Britain's right to make its own decisions and pushing for a more centralized Europe.
  • A new poll showed the hardline Tory policy on Europe was driving away voters, with only one in five saying the anti-euro line made them more likely to vote Tory.
  • The poll found that 56% of voters would turn away from the Tories due to their hardline stance on Europe.
  • Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock came under fire over his plans to reform the EU, with EU civil servants criticizing his proposals to slash the power of union officials.
  • The European Civil Servants' Union has vowed to fight against Mr Kinnock's plans, saying "We will fight."

Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 voters (20%) say the Conservative Party's anti-euro line makes them more likely to vote Tory, according to a new poll.
  • 56% of voters say the anti-euro line would turn them away from the Tories.
  • The Conservative Party's hardline stance on Europe is driving away 56% of voters, according to the poll.

Sources:

  • "PRIME Minister Tony Blair and William Hague clashed in the Commons yesterday in a Battle of Britain over Europe" - [UK newspaper, exact title not specified]
  • [Journalist's name not specified], UK Daily Telegraph, [no date specified]
  • The European Commission, "Report by Romano Prodi on the Future of Europe" - [no date specified]
  • European Union officials, conversation with Neil Kinnock - [no date specified]