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European Union

Conservative Leader's EU Comments Risk Fracturing Party

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In the final phase of campaigning for the European parliament elections, Conservative leader William Hague sparked controversy by labeling those who argue for EU withdrawal as "fanatics". Hague's comments on BBC's On the Record programme diverge from the UK Independence Party's policy of exiting the EU, which is supported by a significant portion of Conservative MPs and supporters. The comments have left some Conservative backbenchers feeling insulted and could potentially jeopardize the party's fragile truce on EU policy.

Key Takeaways:

  • William Hague's comments on the EU have sparked controversy, with some Conservative MPs and supporters disagreeing with his stance.
  • Hague labeled those who argue for EU withdrawal as "fanatics", a label that has been met with criticism from Tory MPs.
  • The UK Independence Party's policy of exiting the EU has gained support from a significant portion of Conservative MPs and supporters.
  • A recent MORI poll gave the UKIP 25% of the vote, indicating a strong level of support for its EU exit policy.
  • The UK prime minister and chancellor have expressed concerns about sensationalist eurosceptic coverage of recent remarks by Eddie George, governor of the Bank of England, that raised doubts about UK participation in the euro.
  • HO ousands of Conservative supporters agree with the UKIP's aim of exiting the EU.
  • Conservative backbencher described Hague's comments as "stupid" and "insulting".

Statistics:

  • 25%: The percentage of the vote the UKIP received in a recent MORI poll.
  • 1,900: The number of people who participated in the MORI poll.
  • 10: The number of days left until the European parliament elections.

Sources:

  • "William Hague yesterday risked fracturing the Conservative party's fragile truce over European Union policy by saying that those who argued for EU withdrawal were "fanatics"." (Financial Times, 1999)
  • "A recent MORI poll for the UKIP gave it 25 per cent of the vote." (Financial Times, 1999)
  • "The prime minister and chancellor were alarmed by what they perceived as sensationalist eurosceptic coverage of recent remarks by Eddie George, governor of the Bank of England, that raised doubts about UK participation in the euro." (Financial Times, 1999)

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