It simply involves making the existing arrangements

have alleged. It simply involves making the existing arrangements work better, so that
the EU is fit for purpose and can be ever more successful. That is what the anti-
Europeans do not like. Nothing upsets the Europhobes more than the idea that some of
the widely acknowledged problems of the EU might be tackled.
Mr. MacNeil: If the hon. Gentleman is so sure of his case, why did he run from giving
the people a referendum?
Mr. Davey: I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman voted against our proposal to
debate and vote on a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. I bet he voted with
the Tories and Labour to try to gag that debate.
It is particularly interesting to compare comments on the Lisbon treaty with past
criticisms of Europe. Take, for example, the Conservative amendment tabled for the
Second Reading debate on the previous European treaty, the treaty of Nice. The
Conservatives opposed that treaty because, according to their amendment,

“it fails to modernise the institutions and policies of the European Union to meet
the requirements of a diverse, enlarged Union”.—[ Official Report , 4 July 2001;
Vol. 371, c. 273.]
Perhaps that is still some people’s argument, but those who argue that should probably
be carted off by the men in white coats. However, if another set of reforms would
“modernise the institutions and policies of the European Union”,
we have not heard about that alternative agenda.
Throughout our debates, we have not had a positive alternative set of EU reforms from
the Conservatives—not a single idea. Silence on an alternative Conservative approach
and silence on whom the Conservatives might talk to elsewhere in Europe about ideas
for EU reform, which they do not have. They are bereft of ideas and bereft of allies.
Mr. Cash rose—
Mr. Davey: I give way to the hon. Gentleman, because he has some ideas for reform.
11 Mar 2008 : Column 185
Mr. Cash: I make no apology for saying that I would prefer an association of nation
states.
Does the hon. Gentleman not accept that to achieve economic competitiveness of the
kind that my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron), the leader of the
Conservative party, is putting forward, we will need to proceed along a line that ensures,
through some form of renegotiation, that we get ourselves out of the mess that the
Lisbon agenda is in at the moment?
Mr. Davey: That is very interesting, as the Foreign Secretary is saying from a sedentary
position. As we know from these debates, the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) is
increasingly at the centre of the Conservative party. Perhaps it is now the Conservative
party position to renegotiate. We have not heard about that, but, as the right hon.
Member for Richmond, Yorks said of us, I am coming to him later.
Mr. Sheerman: The hon. Gentleman has mentioned the men in white coats. Is it not the
case that many people out there have been put off these debates because it is clear to
those who observe proceedings in the Chamber—I was able to attend the debates on
only three days—that the lunatics have taken over the asylum?