London - "In Europe, not run by Europe" was the uncompromising message unveiled by the Conservative leader, Mr William Hague, yesterday as the party issued its European election manifesto, Rachel Donnelly reports.
The new "flexible" approach to Europe advocated by Mr Hague in a speech in Budapest last week was there in his plan to adopt a "mix and match" style with EU regulations. Flexibility does not yet extend to Tory policy on the euro, and Mr Hague restated his determination "endorsed by the overwhelming majority of Conservatives" that the Tories will oppose British membership at the next general election "and for the lifetime of the next parliament". Somebody had to stand up for the "common-sense point of view" he declared. "We can't all be like Tony Blair and go with the flow".