Everyone now recognises, except the hapless Labour Ministers seeking to defend the Government's position, that the draft Treaty is essentially the same as the EU Constitution rejected in 2005 by the Dutch and French people. The only substantive differences are removal of the word 'constitution' and scrapping symbols of statehood such as an anthem.
This Treaty has significant consequences for Britain's ability to make its own laws in vital areas including tax and social security and to pursue our own foreign policy. The competence of the European Court of Justice would take precedence over our own judiciary. The opt-outs and 'red lines' which the Government believes it has secured are under increasing pressure and, investigated by a cross-party group of MPs, revealed as likely to be ineffective.
I have no doubt that the Government spin machine will be in full cry. We can look forward to reports of how hard Gordon is battling for British interests. But the reality will be different. He is preparing the ground to cave in.
When Gordon Brown bacame Prime Minister he said he wanted to listen to the people. We in Shropshire know this is a hollow pledge, after a Unitary authority will now be imposed against majority local opinion.
But there is a clear way out of his dilemna, one where he could start to rebuild trust with the electorate and one he signed up to in 2005 in the Labour manifesto. He should honour that manifesto pledge, put his trust in the British people, and put the eventual EU Treaty to a referendum.
