Falling Dominoes

First, the euro, only ever economically possible with the Germans on board, as they are now openly determined not to be.

And now, Schengen, only ever physically possible with the French on board, as they are now openly determined not to be.

Thank goodness for the 1997 General Election result. Thank goodness for Gordon Brown.

And thank goodness that Ed Balls is denouncing the euro bailouts, that Douglas Alexander is denouncing the EU Budget increase, that John Healey is denouncing EU competition law's threat to the NHS, that numerous Labour MPs are now denouncing the "free" movement of labour within the EU, that Peter Hain is in the Chair, and that there are now almost no Blairites left in the House of Commons, with even fewer expected after the next Election. Victory for AV would be yet another victory over them.

Still, in one capacity or another, the precise form to be determined in the light of that result, there will still be the need for friendly critics and critical friends.