It seems positively perverse to have the second debate between the political leaders on the issues of "Foreign Policy and Europe" when the subject has been barely mentioned in the campaign so far. All this could change after tonight, of course. But so far, it has to be said, our political chiefs have talked about virtually every issue but Europe and foreign policy.
No surprise in this. Politicians don't like to discuss abroad because they're uncertain of public feelings on the subject. This is particularly true of Europe. All the opinion polls show that the voter hasn't much time for the European Union and even less for Brussels. But then their attitude is not so much bitter hatred as, "don't bother me with it". The Lib Dems may be the most openly pro-European but their electoral interests, particularly in the South West, tell them not to stir waters that may bubble against them. The Tories are most obviously anti-European, but, with the prospect of power, are nervous of presenting themselves as a government which could not work with it. As for Labour, it has so far been a policy of "least said, soonest mended." Brown knows that Europe matters and has actually tried to work more with European leaders over the last year, particularly on economic issues. But when it comes to public discussion, he remains far happier to put every question into the framework of "international co-operation" rather than a European one.
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