Europe on the election campaign: Blink and you miss it
Last night’s leaders’ debate was a rare opportunity for Europe to take centre stage in the UK election campaign. I was looking forward to seeing how each of the three candidates would tackle the issue: could Brown dodge awkward questions around the Lisbon Treaty ratification? How would Cameron react to accusations of isolation following his Party’s withdrawal from the EPP in Parliament? And how could Nick Clegg, following his virtuoso performance last week, sell his Party’s pro-European agenda?
In the event, I shouldn’t have got my hopes up; Europe featured only for a fleeting moment in the 90 minute discussion. Clearly, this election will not be won or lost on Europe, but the result will certainly have an impact on Brussels. Cameron’s anti-European rhetoric – which would no doubt be diluted somewhat if in office – would not make him popular in Brussels. A more favourable result for Europe could well be a coalition Government with influence from the Liberal Democrats – the most pro-European of the three parties.
Christian Hierholzer
Managing Director, hanover Brussels
23 April 2010