September 2005 - Livingstone gambles on Europe
After a surprise victory in the 2005 General Election and with several of his initiatives unable to pass Parliament or subject to heavy scrutiny, Prime Minister Livingstone turned his attention towards Europe. Unusually for the Labour hard-left, Livingstone had developed a highly positive opinion of Europe, and furthermore, had dared to campaign in full support of the Euro and the European Constitution. Far from dooming him, Livingstone appeared convinced it had proved far from harmful, and set on the road to further integration in the hopes of finding common ground with New Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Despite being a minority government the Prime Minister found unexpected support on the issue, and after some planning and the ratification of the European Constitution by France and the Netherlands, it was decided it was time to call a double referendum on Britain and the European Union.
Yes Campaign: The Yes Campaign is a cross-party effort made up from the small Europhile Tory wing, the Liberal Democrats, most of the New Labour rebels (except Frank Field) and the majority of the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Livingstone. They advocate entry into the Euro as a solution to the economic crisis in the United Kingdom, and believe Europe will be strengthened and more transparent under the Constitution.
No Campaigns: Due to different ideologies the No efforts have decided to field different campaigns, one encompassing virtually the entire Conservative Party, another combining the Labour hard-left with other left-wing or former Labour eurosceptics (particularly Frank Field and Robert Kilroy-Silk), and yet another one made by the small nationalist parties like the BNP. They argue entry into the Euro would bring further economic harm to the United Kingdom, and that adopting the constitution would be giving away sovereignty to an undemocratic institution.
Two days for this one, Conservative and Lib Dem leadership elections coming as well.
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