Tory elder statesman spells out Sovereignty peril

Michael Ancram speaks out on the danger to the country from the EU, the Reform Treaty and from David Cameron. The main coverage is in today's Daily Telegraph, linked here, from which comes this crucial passage:

The protection of our sovereignty, however, is probably the most important Conservative principle, because, without it, we can never as a nation guarantee to deliver on any other principles and pledges. Sovereignty belongs to the British people, and can be surrendered only with the express consent of the British people.

What was in effect a European Constitution, agreed by Tony Blair in June, undeniably diminishes our national sovereignty, and it is outrageous for Gordon Brown to argue that a referendum is unnecessary. We are right to demand one and, failing that, he must promise to hold one after the election.

In protecting our sovereignty, however, we may well need to go further. If, before an election, Parliament has ratified this wretched treaty, allowing it to come into force throughout the European Union, a post-election referendum cannot retrospectively veto it. The ratchet of "ever-closer union" will have irreversibly clicked once more.

In such circumstances, we should pledge to hold a referendum to seek a mandate for fundamental renegotiation of our position in Europe, with a view to recreating a European partnership of sovereign nations.

We must make clear to our European colleagues that "a country called Europe" is incompatible with our sovereignty, and that we cannot remain part of an EU where that is the inevitable and swiftly approaching outcome. Above all we must have a simple creed.

We believe in people, in their individual freedom and right to choose; we believe in promoting aspiration and merit; we believe in the smaller state, in value for taxpayers' money and in being the "good neighbour"; we believe in the family; in protecting and conserving our environment; and above all in the resolute defence of our sovereignty and our realm.

The full paper may be read from this link.