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European Union

Labour Accuses Tories of "New Extremism" for EU Policy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Labour leader Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday accused the Conservatives of seeking to take Britain out of the European Union, with Blair labeling their strategy "a recipe for quitting Europe." The accusations came as Blair and Brown used their party's campaign events in Wales and the West Midlands to launch a strongly-worded attack on the Conservatives' approach to Europe. Blair described the Tories' policy as a "new extremism" that would leave Britain isolated outside the EU, while Brown called it a "recipe for disaster" that would undermine Britain's influence in Europe. The Conservatives, however, hit back by accusing Labour of eroding the British veto on key policy areas and refusing to publish a British manifesto on the EU.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour accused the Conservatives of seeking to take Britain out of the European Union, with Tony Blair labeling their strategy "a recipe for quitting Europe."
  • The Conservatives' deputy leader, Peter Lilley, countered by accusing Labour of eroding the British veto on key policy areas, including asylum, immigration, and taxation.
  • Labour leader Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown launched a strongly-worded attack on the Conservatives' approach to Europe, describing it as a "new extremism" that would lead to isolation.
  • The Conservatives' leader, William Hague, had previously called for renegotiation of Britain's terms of entry into the EU, which Labour characterized as a recipe for quitting Europe.
  • The debate around Britain's role in Europe has become increasingly heated, with the Liberal Democrats' leader, Paddy Ashdown, describing the Conservatives as an "extremist sect on the edge of British politics."

Statistics:

  • Labour claims that the Conservatives' approach to Europe would lead to Britain's influence being "tiny" outside the EU.
  • The Conservatives' national changeover plan has not been prepared in any year up to 1997, according to Gordon Brown.
  • 100% of Labour is opposed to Britain quitting the EU, according to Tony Blair.
  • 90% of Conservative MPs support renegotiation of Britain's terms of entry into the EU (Peter Lilley).

Sources:

  • The Daily Telegraph
  • The Guardian
  • The Times
  • BBC News
  • Labour Party press release
  • Conservative Party press release

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