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European Council

First, let me thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his initial comments when he said that he agreed with much of the position that we have taken. Despite that, I still think it is the right position. However, the right hon. and learned Gentleman put his points in a perfectly reasonable manner, so I shall respond to them in kind. The right hon. and learned Gentleman spoke about my statement on Britain paying more for enlargement, but we must be very clear about this matter. As the EU enlarges and takes in countries that are much poorer than ours and as the budget is placed on a sensible basis, the wealthy countries will clearly have to pay more and the poorer countries less. I personally think that that is entirely justifiable as long as the EU budget is spent on sensible things. People will then understand it, but what they will not understand is Britain paying more in respect of a budget that is completely distorted by the injustices of the past. As to the CAP reform of 2002, others had the veto in those circumstances, but in this case, we had to give our agreement in order for a deal to be done. I do not disagree with some of the right hon. and learned Gentleman’s remarks about the difference between the Laeken declaration and the subsequent debate. Indeed, that point has often been made. In respect of the constitution, however, let me make one thing very clear to the right hon. and learned Gentleman. Some of the reasons why people voted no, particularly in France, were not reasons that either he or I would support—among them was opposition to Turkish membership of the EU, for example. So we need to be careful, in discussing the no votes in France and Holland, that we do not assume that every person who voted no was somehow endorsing a particularly British view of Europe. It is not as simple as that. There is a real debate in Europe now, which is not limited to just two simple positions. Some are opposed to Europe on grounds that might recommend themselves to some of the right hon. and learned Gentleman’s party but not to him—people who are against enlargement, against immigration and against the very concept of the EU—and then there are some who want a federalist superstate. However, most people in Europe recognise that the EU has an important role and want to see it strengthened, but also want Europe and its institutions focused on the issues that concern them now rather than on issues that rightly concerned people in Europe 50 years ago. The issues are not the same in the Europe of today. Enlargement provides a tremendous opportunity in that regard. Let me make one final point to the right hon. and learned Gentleman. Our approach to Europe over the last couple of years has allowed us to be in a position whereby, despite the attacks from some quarters over the last few days, we went to the European summit with allies and we went out of it with allies—[Interruption.] Well, four countries joined Britain in voting against, but many more countries expressed their dissatisfaction. It is important to keep those alliances going forward. Many of the new countries in the enlarged Europe would have preferred a deal last Friday—let us be clear about that—and we have to explain to them why our opposition to the deal last Friday was not an opposition to enlargement or to Britain paying its fair share, but an attempt to put Europe on a more rational footing. In doing so, diplomacy as well as strength will be required: we will need both.