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Wednesday 21 May 2014

Is Clegg off to the EU?

Nick Clegg seems to be using every opportunity to hone his EU credentials.

Having begun this European election campaign by challenging the UKIP leader to debate whether Britain should stay in or get out of the EU, he is ending it by insisting that being pro-Europe was the best way to be pro-British.

In a speech in Oxford, he attacked those he called "false patriots", saying:

"Ukip. Conservative backbenchers. Isolationists. They are not thinking about Britain's interests. They shroud their narrow nationalism in the language of patriotism. They mask their hostility towards Europe as British bulldog spirit. But these are false patriots. The isolation they offer is a breach of our history, of our great British tradition of engagement, and of our enlightened national self-interest. If the forces of insularity and chauvinism get their way they will ensure that Britain no longer benefits from the political and economic advances in Europe that we have shaped. And they will hand the keys to running our European continent to the Germans, the French and others, while we retreat back across the English Channel."


It seems to me that this is not genuine political campaigning so much as preparing the ground for defeat. Lining up his next job.

Clegg is rallying the troops of course, but only where the rallying cry suits his personal circumstances. He's preparing for failure. He isn't saying what Lib Dem MEPs would do for the UK, because the answer to that is nothing.

No doubt this is the kind of thing the Lib Dem faithful wish to hear from their leader, but as ever with Clegg, the focus is tightly trained on his own situation.

Here are my credentials. I'm on your side. Always have been, always will be. I'll fight tooth and nail for the EU.  

From a suitably prestigious office over at your place.  

11 comments:

Demetrius said...

Good thinking, Corporal, I was waiting for someone to work out what he was up to.

James Higham said...

He can b***er off and the sooner the better. ['Scuse my French.]

A K Haart said...

Demetrius - his type don't like it up 'em do they?

James - the only niggle is the smug and comfortable life he'll lead.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

Nice summation once again, AKH - have linked to this.

A K Haart said...

Witterings - thanks, and thanks for the link.

TheBoilingFrog said...

"It seems to me that this is not genuine political campaigning so much as preparing the ground for defeat. Lining up his next job."]

Yes, I couldn't agree more...

A K Haart said...

BF - thanks.

Angus Dei said...

Maybe he will take the rest of 'em with him AK.

A K Haart said...

Angus - I hope so, but I wouldn't bet on it. There are still a few plum jobs left over here.

Ian Hills said...

Clegg's political background is Brussels based....wonder if that's why the LibDems chose him as leader?

A K Haart said...

Ian - possibly, although it doesn't look like a wise move on their part.