..this Minister is going to go a long way, possibly all the way to the top. Leader and PM in 10 years time, maybe...
Owen Patterson - he has had a very interesting and thoughtful interview in the Speccie that is worth reading, particularly by those who are Eurosceptic.
him and boris threw their hats in the ring yesterday over the referendum issue.
as you have stated barry, it is not in the blues interests to hold a referendum any time soon, so it is clear that both patterson and johnson are playing a game of distancing themselves from dave and aligning with the backbenchers and party faithful.
Howard - no, it is not a matter of the interests of the 'blues' but more a matter of the interests of the country and the need to make sure a referendum is timed so we can win it and get out of the EU madhouse. It is also a matter of the question, in/out, will not win an out vote - we must be more subtle than that and have an alternative to the EU not just a bare out, that needs renegotiation.
Read the article Howard - I think you will find that he is not distancing himself at all but he is putting across a very sensible and moderately worded Eurosceptic case that DC would be well advised to listen to. He is the voice of the Party.
I would fall down laughing if Labour tomorrow suddenly campaigned for Britain leaving the EU 100% no dilly dally, and the Coalition fell apart, a general election came about and the Tories were OUT.
