Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Peter Mandelson may have shed his external skin but the inner forked tongue remains the same. He has just told the BBC,
It is not for me to express a view on the UK's domestic decision about a referendum, but I note the British government says that this is not a treaty which requires one.
Britain is not a country governed by the use of referenda. And those who argue for one in reality all too often want Britain to withdraw.
I am afraid those pro-Europeans arguing for a referendum risk being drawn into supporting this agenda.
This style of smart talk contributes directly to people wanting a referendum. This clearly IS a view on a domestic decision. If such is not for him to express he should by his own admission shut up. They won't be many, but there will be some who if they see this will say to themselves, "I am not going to be talked to by Commissioner Mandelson in this manner, if he's against it then I'm for it". More important from his point of view, I suppose, is the whether the whiff of intimidation against Labour pro-Europeans will work in silencing them. But if it does, that too would be a good reason to support a referendum.
