Open and blatant pro-EU propaganda

The Today programme this morning discussed Lord Lawson's view of British membership of the European Union (we should get out) by producing two guests (Maria Misra and Richard Lambert) who both argued he was wrong, the discussion moderated by Evan Davis who is also known to be pro-European.

It is hardly remarkable that individuals in positions of responsibility should betray the trust placed in them (to be impartial) and promote their own views instead.

What was offensive about this item was the shameless and clumsy way in which it was done.  Evan Davis could have skewed the discussion by having one brilliant anti-Lawson contributor up against an inarticulate and dull pro-Lawson contributor.  That is the usual way these things are done, and at least would maintain a facade of impartiality.

Instead we just got open and blatant pro-EU propaganda.

At least we know what we are up against.

At least we know not to expect ANY impartiality on this issue from Evan Davis.

Ask yourself - are these the actions of a pro-European?

So far David Cameron has:

1 Taken the Conservatives out of the pro-federalist European Democrats grouping in the European Parliament ignoring howls of rage from Anglea Merkel and defection of one Conservative MEP to the Liberals (forget who it was).

2 Used the national veto at a European summit - the first time the veto has been used EVER, by anyone.

3 Announced yesterday that he wanted (and will facilitate) an In - Out referendum on British membership of the EU.

Ask yourself - are these the actions of a pro-European?

Therefore I would argue that it is perfectly reasonable to envisage David Cameron leading the "Out" campaign in the European referendum.

However before this can happen the economic case for leaving needs to be made absolutely clear and coherent and endorsed by eminent economists.  Ordinary people have to see, in understandable terms, that they will be better off Out, and this argument needs to be underpinned by unshakable economic theory.  The Conservatives will have to develop all this - Labour "outers" are not capable of economic analysis and UKIP are just howling at the moon.

A clue that a "No" outcome may be officially planned is that there simply isn't time to negotiate comprehensive new terms between the United Kingdom and the EU by 2017.

But obviously this needs to be done step by step, and proving at every stage that we have been reasonable and patient and it is only EU intransigence that has led to the inevitable course of action.

As the little girl says at the end of Mika's Grace Kelly:  "We are leaving".