THERE seems to be something about the word “Europe” that produces an almost Pavlovian reaction among Conservative MPs, causing many of their number to start a lemming-like stampede for the nearest cliff-edge. The issue of Europe has been a problem for the party for decades, arguably responsible for the downfall of four leaders (John Major, William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard) and three general election defeats (1997, 2001 and 2005). David Cameron is only the latest Conservative leader for whom hearing the word “Europe” must produce an involuntary shudder.
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