Labour and Liberal Democrats Unite to Challenge Conservatives Over Europe Policy

Strategic Insights -

The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have issued a joint challenge to the Conservatives to denounce Baroness Thatcher's views on Europe, calling for a clear rejection of the idea that Britain should leave the European Union. This move follows Lady Thatcher's private comments in The Times, where she expressed her opinion that Britain should pull out of the EU due to its federal superstate ambitions. The joint statement from Robin Cook, Labour's Foreign Secretary, and Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat Foreign Secretary, aims to slap down Lady Thatcher's views and assert that there is no room for those who advocate for Britain's withdrawal from Europe in British politics.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour and Liberal Democrats have issued a joint challenge to the Conservatives to denounce Baroness Thatcher's views on Europe.
  • The joint statement urges William Hague to reject Lady Thatcher's opinion that Britain should leave the EU.
  • Michael Ancram, Tory chairman, conceded that there is a faction in the party that wants to leave the EU, but declined to take issue with Lady Thatcher's comments.
  • Ancram also raised the prospect of renegotiating the terms of British membership, a move that the Labour-Liberal Democrat joint statement accuses of being code for withdrawal.
  • The joint statement calls for a clear rejection of the idea that Britain should leave the EU, citing it as vital for Britain's national interest and influence in the world.
  • The comments from Ancram may encourage further the Right to use the October conference in Bournemouth to press for a "renegotiate or withdraw" policy.
  • Shadow Foreign Secretary John Maples is urged to slap down Lady Thatcher's prejudices and state that there is no room for those who think Britain should leave Europe at the top of British politics.

Statistics:

  • 1999: The year in which the joint statement was issued.
  • 1: The number of joint statements issued by Labour and Liberal Democrats to denounce Baroness Thatcher's views on Europe.
  • 1: The number of factions in the Conservative party that wants to leave the EU, according to Michael Ancram.
  • 1: The number of times Lady Thatcher expressed her opinion that Britain should pull out of the EU due to its federal superstate ambitions.
  • 1: The number of times John Maples is urged to slap down Lady Thatcher's prejudices.
  • 1: The number of times a clear rejection of the idea that Britain should leave the EU is called for in the joint statement.

Sources:

  • The Times, 1999
  • Breakfast with Frost, BBC, 1999 (appearances of Michael Ancram)