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Proceeding contribution from Gerald Kaufman (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 5 March 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union (Amendment) Bill.


European Union (Amendment) Bill

The right hon. Vulcan—er, Gentleman—may try to wriggle out of the position that he took as a member of the Conservative Cabinet and the fact that he voted against a referendum on Maastricht, but nobody will be impressed. He said one thing as a member of the Government, to keep hold of his red box, his car and ministerial salary, but now, totally irresponsibly, he is ready to switch his position. In the 19th century, a former Conservative Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, described the Conservatives as an organised hypocrisy. The only difference between then and the 21st century is that the Conservatives are no longer organised.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
472 c1829;472 c1827 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
European Union European communities Referendums Parliament Treaties Treaty of Lisbon
Legislation
European Union (Amendment) Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk