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Article: Bogeyman in Brighton: Tory MPs are scared witless by Sir James Goldsmith's Referendum party; they shouldn't be.(Britain)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- October 19, 1996
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ON OCTOBER 19th, a bunch of nonentities led by a French member of the European Parliament meet in Brighton for the first conference of the anti-EU Referendum Party. Such a party might be expected to attract as much attention as other newcomers, such as the UK Independence Party and the Liberal (not to be confused with Liberal Democrat) Party. None, that is.
Instead, the media are flocking to Brighton, and not just because some lush bashes are promised. Many Tory MPs contemplate the new party with terror. Some want John Major to sack Kenneth Clarke, the chancellor, to convert to Euroscepticism and split his party just to head off Sir James Goldsmith's outfit. ...