"I understand that a great deal of political resistance will have to be surmounted".

So says Wolfgang Schäuble, the German finance minister in today's FT.

I'll say it would meet with political resistance. This is the plan,

If we wish the euro to be strong and stable on a lasting basis – our condition for bringing the DM and its high credibility into the euro fold – we have to be prepared to integrate further in the eurozone. Co-ordination between euro members must be more far-reaching; they must take an active part in each other’s policymaking.

Plans that must warm the cockles of Ken Clarke's schlerotic heart.The problem is of course for those who wish to see our relationship with Europe as "highly active" is that thus would necessarily create a two tier Europe. No bad thing in some ways, but one in which the voice of Britain would be necessarily smaller.

We are finally seeing the European Union end game, and it is indeed a country called Europe.

So why is the the Tory/Barroso meeting taking place in secret?

Tories having secret meetings with the European Commission? Check.
Ken Clarke doing the negotiating? Check
Tories not to be trusted on Europe? Check


OK, so it is normal for the main opposition party to meet up with civil servants before an election. So to that extent Ken Clarke's meeting tomorrow with President Barroso is no news at al.

But the fact that the meeting was 'un-agendered' whereas Barroso's meetings with the Bulgarian President and a group of Portugese bishops suggests something funny gouing on.

If Dave wasn't embarrassed then why is it secret? Preparing for a key capitulation to the EU? Check.

So Mr Clark, can you answer these questions honestly?

Mark Mardell has posed a few questions for Ken Clarke onhis return to the shadow cabinet. Methinks it will be a case of wriggle wriggle. Is there any point in roping a big beast to the plough, if the big beast is pulling in the wrong direction?

1) Does he still believe Britain should join the euro?

2) Does he at least agree with the economists who last week argued that there should be a new debate about it?

3) Does he agree with the current Conservative policy that, as the Lisbon reform treaty has not been backed by Irish voters, there should be a referendum in Britain too?

4) Does he think this (leaving the EPP) is a sensible move because the Conservative Party has a different vision of Europe to the parties of Sarkozy and Merkel or does he support those Tory MEPs who want to stick in the EEP?

5) As shadow business secretary does he think it is right to pull out of such EU directives and how easy would it be in practical terms?

Interesting set of questions, and ones that need answering. But I suspect that all that will come is fudge and that famous humerous harumpf.

Clarke joins front bench, Tories start to join UKIP

Today I get this from Mike Nattrasss, UKIP's MEP for the West MIdlands,

KIP is gaining members because of Ken Clarke's return to the Tory front bench. "Clarke's views on Europe are so out of line with the bulk of the Tory Party membership that they simply cannot stand being in the same party any more." said Nigel Farage, UKIP leader.

Mike Nattrass, UKIP MEP for the West Midlands said "Only UKIP is firmly committed to leaving the EU so that we can be free and independent once again." "Tory MEPs consistently transfer power to the EU and that Tory policy is confirmed by Clark's return."

The first defector in the West Midlands is Denis Allen. A former Mayor of Wellington, a town councillor in Wellington, a councillor on Telford and Wrekin Unitary Authority and former cabinet member there. Denis has also been the Chairman of the Wrekin Conservative Association. After service as an officer in the RAF Regiment Mr. Allen went on to become a Lt. Colonel in the Light Infantry TA.

"I was already uncomfortable with the way that David Cameron fudged the issue of the Conservative membership of the EPP group in the European Parliament. But the appointment of such a strong europhile like Ken Clarke to the front bench was the last straw. We can see that we can't negotiate from within: they ignored the Dutch and the French referendums and they're ignoring the Irish now. We have to leave so that we can rule ourselves." said Denis Allen. "That's why I joined UKIP, the only party advocating that Britain should be ruled by the British."

Mike Nattrass added " Tory MEPs put their Group allowances into the "Yes" campaign and that says it all."

And some Ken Clarke quotations

During the 2003 leadership Campaign,

"I have to decide whether a parliamentary party that has just fought a fanatic Eurosceptic campaign and been defeated is yet really capable of being led by a pro-European.

On leadership of the Tories

"I would have liked to be the leader of the Conservative Party and I still would. But I've run twice and I can't see another opportunity coming up in the future."

On Tory EU Scepticism

"Yes, well the party is Eurosceptic but I am glad to say it has become moderate Euroscepticism now, we no longer have the extreme right wing nationalism that we went into before the last two elections but it is still a Eurosceptic party and I’m not a Eurosceptic."

On Tax Cuts

“David and George have made us look like a potentially governing party again but the message has not quite spread to some of my colleagues. These are the people who think you've got to promise tax cuts to win any election. We've fought elections on tax cuts when you can't afford them and usually we've lost - we did actually win one in 1992, which was a considerable embarrassment to me when I was Chancellor because there wasn't the slightest chance of any tax cuts.”

On the EU Constitution

"This is a complicated area and I do not regard the EU Constitution as a completely suitable subject for a referendum"

On Referenda
"I disapprove of a referendum. I do think it is a serious blow to the sovereignty of Parliament. MPs are elected to give line-by-line detailed scrutiny to documents of this kind."
"[holding a referendum] is appalling and irresponsible. Rupert Murdoch will decide what Britain should think and what Britain should be told."