Dirk Hazell

Commenting on the draft fiscal compact being discussed in Brussels today by European finance ministers, Dirk Hazell deplores the collapse of British diplomacy in Brussels at last month's Council:

"The extent of the failure of British diplomacy in Brussels is, sadly, becoming ever clearer.

Even Member States such as Poland that are not currently in the Euro will be allowed to attend future Euro-Summits: only the British are excluded, as a direct result of the Prime Minister's misjudgment in Brussels last month which did nothing to protect the City jobs of Chelsea and Fulham residents.

Dirk Hazell has welcome the overwhelming endorsement of the Croatian people for EU membership.

"Yesterday's massive 66% endorsement by the Croatian people in favour of EU membership - a result virtually identical to that of the British 1975 Referendum - is welcome news.

In common with other democracies that have joined the EU, Croatian membership of the EU will be an opportunity to draw a line under repellent alliances and governments of the past and to extend democracy, prosperity and security within Europe."

Commenting on this week's editorial in 'The Spectator', Dirk Hazell agrees that the Prime Minister's duty is to save the Union.

"The United Kingdom has proved an exceptionally worthwhile, successful and resilient Union.

Its future will be different to its past but all parts of the United Kingdom will have a better future if we stand together and the Prime Minister would do well to heed the advice in this week's editorial of 'The Spectator'.