Same old diversion by Gordon

I was lucky enough to sneak in PMQ's during my lunch break today, and found myself looking on at the desperation of Gordon Brown over the Lisbon Treaty issue. In his responses to questions by David Cameron, all Brown could do was throw up old arguements about Maastrict, and accuse the tories of changing their position.

But this is a typical Labour fallacy, if any position has changed it's Labour's. Back in 1992, the Tories, voted for the ratification of the Maastrict treaty, Labour voted against it. Their position was the Europe was bad, and we shouldn't be part of it. However fast forward fifteen and a bit years, and now they are not only voting for an even greater inculsion into to the EU, but won't give the electorate a say. The Tories still say involvement in Europe is a good thing, but are against even further intergration.

So when you look at the two standpoints the Tories position has not changed a great deal, but Labour has gone from not wanting to be part of Europe to all in. A massive shift in policy. So for Gordon to use this arguement is just seen as the diversionary tactic to try and deflect attention away from the break in his manifesto pledge to give the country a referendum.

It also shows Gordon's total disregard for the will of the people. Nearly nine in ten people want a referendum of this treaty, and the majority of other European leaders openly admitting that the Lisbon Treaty is the EU constitution in all but name, his position becomes a little more precarious. Because he bottled an early election he will only have, at the very most, two years before he has to face the electorate, and this will be very fresh in people's memories. The PM has tried the spin of saying how different the treaty is, and hasn't been believed, he has even tried to thrown up arguements from fifteen years ago, but these just highlight the difference in his own party's position. But his biggest failing is that disregard for the electorate, and that he knows best and will get his way. I'm starting to see why some in his own party called him "stalin".

Although, whilst i'm on the subject of the treaty vote, the implosion of the Lib Dems is shocking, their front bench is fighting itself, resignations have already begun, and the individual that issued the now infamous "calamity Clegg" briefing note must have the smuggest of grins on their face. But as i've said before, their position will only do one thing, and that is gift a win for Gordon Brown.