There must be times when the leader of Britain's Conservative Party, Mr William Hague, regrets his decision to press for the job in the wake of its the party's horrendous election defeat in 1997. However, that election saw Mr Michael Portillo out of parliament lose his parliamentary seat and the party's right-wing - which in large measure contributed to the election defeat with its strident Europhobia - decided that the Conservatives should be led by anybody except the committed Europhile, Mr Ken Clarke.
Last weekend was one of those times when Mr Hague might have wondered if he made his move one election too soon. He still finds it difficult to assert his authority and the issue which seems set to dog him right up to the next election would bring a smile to the face of his predecessor, Mr John Major. The Conservatives are just as divided over Europe as ever, particularly with so much focus on whether Britain should join the euro.
The Prime Minister, Mr Blair, is clearly committed to European Monetary Union but he will not say so publicly because that would galvanise the opposition. Yesterday, Lord Owen, the former leader of the SDP, launched his "Not Yet" campaign. He was joined by Lord Healy, the former Labour chancellor and Lord Prior, the former Conservative employment secretary. This is a sad collection of two retired politicians of little influence and a man whose arrogance is matched only by his record for miscalculation. If Mr Hague's allies in his crusade against the euro can get no better than this, then the outlook is indeed bleak - not just for his prospects in the next election but for his continued leadership of the party.
Mr Hague's position was further undermined at the weekend with the revelation that the Prime Minister briefed Ken Clarke and Mr Michael Heseltine in advance of his declaration that the government would join the single currency provided the conditions are right. Neither Mr Clarke nor Mr Heseltine have any desire to go toe-to-toe with Mr Hague, especially with the European elections only three months away. However, if he insists on cranking up the debate over the euro, then they may be left with little choice.
And this, Mr Hague, seems determined to do. He has threatened to expel any MP who does not support the anti-euro policy in the European elections. It is understandable that Mr Hague should want to attract all the anti-Europe voters but his hard-line stance seems likely to narrow his party's appeal come June and widen further its split over Europe. Mr Hague's judgment is letting him down and the doubts over his leadership are growing. Last week an opinion poll showed that Labour Party support was at its lowest since the general election and the Conservatives had gained six percentage points. But it also showed that Mr Hague's rating with Conservative supporters is now lower than ever with only 28 per cent approval rating. It has been assumed up to now that Mr Hague will hang on until the general election and be sent packing after it if the Conservatives do poorly. But Mr Hague may yet go down in the history books as the first leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party not to lead his party in a general election.