Jon Bright (London, OK): I must admit, I'm a bit stumped on this one. Why didn't Brown rearrange either the UK Parliament Liaison Committee, or move back the signing of the Euro treaty itself? He is, of course, putting it down to a simple 'diary clash' - but the point of keeping a diary is that the important things don't end up clashing.
Of course anyone with half a brain suspects it's a bit of politicking - showing a slight bit of scepticism towards the EU which might play well with the papers at home, while achieving his real aim (signing the treaty). Fine, except anyone using that same half of brain can also tell it won't work - it has been seen through in an instant. Mark Mardell has a good post on this on his enjoyable Euroblog: there are going to be photos of him signing anyway, the only difference being that none of the other leaders will be there with him (unless they are going to pull off a James Purnell). Not only will it not work, it will also annoy all the other Euro leaders by marring their moment of triumph. So - I'm looking for some help (and perhaps the other half of my brain). What was the point of that?
