20/07/2012
The
Failygraph is
back on the case of the Cameron
referendum strategy, citing such great intellects as Douglas Carswell and Nigel Farage, and others, to fill the space between its adverts.
As with the
New Statesman, these people are also misreading the situation, assuming that Cameron is set to embark on genuine negotiations with the "colleagues". Thus, they complain that, by ruling out campaigning to leave the EU, he is weakening our negotiating position.
However, for Cameron to offer renegotiation makes electoral sense. Polls have consistently shown that this is a popular option with the general public, right up to the recent poll in
The Sun, which had 67 percent favour the idea of a referendum on Britain's "relationship with Europe".
Bear in mind that, with the exception of the
Express, the legacy media supports Britain's continued membership of the EU, including and especially the
Daily Wail - despite its
current confusion. Therefore, a pledge by Cameron to renegotiate is likely to find favour with the Fourth Estate, as well as the public at large.
But what the current clutch of commentators completely fail to understand is that the main aim of the political classes in respect of "Europe" is to avoid making it an electoral issue. Everything Cameron does in the run-up to the general election must be seen in this light.
The Tory spin machine will be in high gear, well before the election. There will be a "commitment" to a renegotiation and a referendum. Thus, the pitch will be "vote Tory to get your renegotiation".
Any attempt to debate the issue will be stonewalled, with the comment: "we can discuss this during the referendum campaign". They will hope to sideline UKIP by saying to the sceptics, if you vote Tory, you will get your referendum.
The last thing he â or the Conservatives â will want during the campaign is for "Europe" to dominate the debate. Thus, we can expect Cameron to do everything he can to "park" the issue. This is what the Conservatives always do and what we have seen over the past few weeks is entirely in accordance with such a strategy.
