FT joins my campaign for Brown to attend European Council

Although the Financial Times editorial today does not use any of the constitutional arguments which I have been raising on this blog, their conclusion that Gordon Brown must attend the crucial meeting of 21/22 June in Brusssels is exactly the same as mine. Their view may be read from this link and concludes as follows:

Britain, on the other hand, presents a more complex dilemma: Tony Blair, leading the negotiations, will hand power to Gordon Brown within days of striking a deal. He cannot guarantee that Mr Brown will sign up to the same package. The next prime minister wants at all costs to avoid a referendum and is looking over his shoulder at the opposition Conservatives. So the British are demanding all they can get, going back on all sorts of previous agreements – such as majority voting on police co-operation (needed for counter-terrorism) and incorporating the charter of fundamental rights in the treaty.

Ms Merkel wants to agree binding texts so that the subsequent inter-governmental conference does not turn into an interminable haggle. Mr Brown does not want an endless process, either. So he should attend the summit with Mr Blair and sign whatever they both can agree. He can go instead of Margaret Beckett, foreign secretary. Staying at home is an abdication of responsibility.