Charles Kennedy CLEG-ed at St Bride’s

The Central London Europe Group (CLEG) hosted what Mrs Merton would have called a heated debate on the Lisbon Treaty this evening at the St Bride’s Institute, just off Fleet Street. In the Europhile corner was Charles Kennedy, President of the European Movement and former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, whereas the Euro-sceptics were represented by Derek Scott, Deputy Chairman of Open Europe and a former European Advisor to Tony Blair. Sir Stephen Wall, also a former European Advisor to Tony Blair and currently Vice Chair of Business for New Europe, was a third, diplomatic speaker, who was nonetheless firmly on the pro-Lisbon Treaty side. Interestingly for a CLEG event (CLEG being the Central London branch of the European Movement), there were several of the more house-trained members of UKIP in the audience, which led to some lively questions, without ever exceding the bounds of politeness.

Inevitably, Charles Kennedy was asked (by a young lady in the audience) what he thought about Nick Clegg’s handling of the referendum issue last week. Interestingly, Charles commented that Nick inherited the problem, and ‘Campbell or Kennedy’ would have been faced with the same dilemma. I wonder myself whether Nick realised just what a poisoned challice he had been handed on this issue when he won the leadership contest.

I asked all the speakers what sort of person they thought ought to be the first so-called ‘President of Europe’, a position which will be created within a matter of months, providing there is no upset in the Irish referendum (the only such referendum planned on Lisbon). Charles Kennedy niftily ignored that particular question, whereas Stephen Wall said it probably ought to be someone from a small or medium-sized country, with no particular axe to grind. The Euro-sceptic Derek Scott plumped for Tony Blair — which I trust will be another nail in the coffin for that preoposterous idea.

Link: www.cleg.org.uk