THE highly-publicised argument between Blair and Chirac is spin not spat.
The UK rebate is under no real threat because the UK holds a veto against its removal. Likewise, the Common Agricultural Policy spending is under no threat of real reform, because three years ago all EU Member States - including the UK - signed up lamely to higher agricultural spending fixed until 2013.
However, public arguing about the rebate now enables Blair to masquerade as a national champion for Britain, while enabling Chirac to play to his own home audience that he is standing up for France. The success of their charade must be a delight to them both.
It is time our political leaders stopped spinning on their own behalf and started working on behalf of the people. The French and Dutch people have already made this clear. Europe should do less, and do it better. Now would be a good time to begin.
PHILIP BUSHILL-MATTHEWS MEP,
European Parliament, Brussels.
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