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European Council

I will make some progress first. As a result of the European Union Act 2011, the Prime Minister has boxed himself into a position in which there must be no potential for a referendum in this country. As he was trying to assuage his 81 Europhobic Back Benchers, he took the easy option of making a political decision rather than one in the national interest, which would have been to remain in the negotiations and to carry on trying to influence the outcome. As a result, when discussions conclude on the arrangements, if they are based on the fourth draft agreement—I quote the House of Commons Library Paper—"““the Heads of State or Government of contracting parties whose currency is not the euro who have ratified this Treaty and have declared their intention to be bound by some of its provisions””" would be invited"““to a meeting of the Euro Summit””." However, those who did not agree to the intention to be bound by the provisions and were not participating would have no automatic right to attend. The Library paper states:"““This would appear to exclude the UK as a non-Euro, but crucially also a non-contracting State.””" There is a potential, therefore, for us no longer to be in the room, even as an observer, because of our misguided decision in December to walk away from the process.