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Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

13 March 2008

Last week the House of Commons held a historic vote. By a majority of over 60 it voted down a motion which would have fulfilled a key manifesto promise of all the main political parties. That promise was to a hold a referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty.

It was a promise given by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. When the vote took place last week only the Conservative party voted to keep its promise.

Of course Labour and the Liberal Democrats justify their position by pretending that the Treaty of Lisbon is very different from the original Constitution. But that pretence is threadbare. One after another, European leaders have queued up to proclaim that they are in all important respects the same. On any objective analysis that is indeed the case.

So what we saw last week was the unedifying spectacle of two political parties breaking a solemn manifesto promise. Is there any wonder that people have lost trust in politics and politicians?

After these depressing events it was a relief to return to a round of constituency events on Friday.

First, I took John Bercow, who is carrying out a review of special education for the Government, to Highview School. The school has recently had a satisfactory Ofsted report and the visit was a very useful one.

Then I drove to Maidstone where I had agreed to present certificates to a number of police officers who have recently qualified to act as protection officers.

Then back to Hythe – a slow journey along the A20 because of Operation Stack – to be interviewed for BBC TV by a group of Brockhill students.,

This was followed by a visit to Laser Transport to explore the effect of an increase in fuel duty on the cost of haulage.

All this was an appropriate interlude to the Annual General Meeting of the Folkestone and Hythe Conservative Association – a very well attended gathering at which to take stock of the current political situation.

The fact that we may have to wait over 2 years for the next General Election is very frustrating. But whenever it comes we shall be ready.