Well it could be 1992 all over again. Dave’s attack on Tory “pessimists” this morning is worth nothing, given what has happened since. On Lawson and Portillo’s Brexit conversions, he insisted earlier:
“I think they’re wrong. There are some pro-European pessimists who say, you have to, in Europe, simply sign up to every single thing that anyone in the EU suggests. You sign every treaty, you sign everything – there is no alternative. I think they are completely wrong. The second group of pessimists say there is no prospect of reforming the EU, you simply have to leave. I think they are wrong too.”
Since then another former Chancellor, Norman Lamont, has joined in the fight and a Queen’s Speech pro-referendum amendment has emerged. No surprises to see Boris pop up either. Surely just coincidence that the Mayor of London, speaking at the very same global investment summit as the PM, offers some ankle to the Tory Eurosceptics.
Boris Johnson says PM is right to want to renegotiate UK's deal with EU, and if we don't get what we want we must be willing to walk away.
— Stephanie Flanders (@MyStephanomics) May 9, 2013
Boris says leaving EU would not be fatal for UK but "a shot in the arm" for democracy, though he's still "narrowly" in favour of staying in.
— Tim Ross (@TimRossDT) May 9, 2013
Boris Johnson says if PM cannot get better deal on EU.."We have to be prepared to go our own way."
— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) May 9, 2013
Helpful timing, as ever.
