The Great Debate Continues

If one tries hard enough anything is possible in British politics.

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This week saw the amazing sight of UKIP leader Nigel Farage speaking at a fringe meeting at the Lib Dem Conference. Mr Farage was appearing at the event to support Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell's surprise call for a referendum on not the EU 'Reform Treaty' but on the whole question the UK's EU membership.

It has to be said that Nigel Farage's message that Britain should leave the EU to gain control of its own destiny did not go down well with all members of the pro-EU audience - which was to be expected.
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"I shall treasure my Lib Dem conference pass over some years to come. I never thought that would happen," Farage told the meeting.The UKIP leader was sharing a platform with fellow MEP Chris Davies, the former leader of the Lib Dem group in Brussels.
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Mr Davis said to the meeting said he did not believe there should be a referendum on the constitution treaty - as it was simply a "sensible" reform of the European Union and there was "nothing fundamental" about it. Errr right well......... !

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However Davis did back Sir Menzies' call for a wider poll on the question of whether Britain should remain in the EU."I want to clear the air. I am glad that Menzies Campbell has come out with the position he has. Let's clear the air. Let's have a fundamental vote on are or are we out. Clear it off the agenda."He warned pulling out of the EU - as UKIP wanted - would reduce Britain's influence and relegate it to the sidelines in important negotiations. He said Mr Farage wanted to "turn us into the eunuch of Europe - he wants castration for Britain".

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The eloquent Mr Farage hit back, saying: "It is a wonderfully clever inversion of the argument to pretend that it is patriotic to give away the government your own country."Surely the most patriotic thing to do is to be master of your own destiny - to have it your way and not be governed by someone else.
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The UKIP leader said Britain should be free to negotiate its own bilateral trade agreements, arguing - to boos from the audience - that it was a "liberating, positive and modern thing to do".

Mr Farage also warned that not giving the people a say on the constitution would fuel the rise of "far right" and "extremist" parties across Europe. A point that the British media do not often refer to.
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Many members in the Lib-Dem audience applauded UKIP's call for a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, prompting the UKIP leader to tell the Lib Dem delegates "it is not that awful to agree with UKIP occasionally". Well what ever next!