The UK Independence Party has changed its tune over European withdrawal!
While UKIP MEPs are happy to continue playing to the eurosceptic tabloid gallery at home, they have changed their tune when they debate with other members in the Strasbourg Parliament.
The party's contribution today to a major debate on the proposed EU constitution falls far short of the kind of withdrawalist rhetoric that has characterised its language until recently.
In their resolution submitted for parliamentary vote, group leader Nigel Farage MEP argues for more qualified majority voting (though curiously with fewer votes for Britain), for the veto to be restricted to "vital areas" and for more power to the European Parliament.
He also endorses the existence of a European Commission (though he would prefer it to be larger), and approves of the European Parliament having a final say over proposed legislation.
Labour MEP Richard Corbett, co-author of Parliament's official report on the constitution, observed:
"This U-turn by UKIP is unexpected, but very welcome. To read this kind of material flowing from the pen of Nigel Farage, who has previously made a career out of being as extreme anti-EU as he possibly can, is a most pleasant surprise.
"However blinkered they started out, perhaps UKIP's experience of decision-making at the heart of Europe has now begun to open their eyes to reality?
"Of course, they still have much to learn: many of the things they call for are already reality, or are contained in the new constitution. And they still peddle many myths. But it's a start on what will be a long learning curve.
"I trust that they will now have the integrity to admit the reasons for their change of stance to the British public!"
The amendment tabled by UKIP's parliamentary group is attached.
Richard Corbett is a Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber and an expert on EU constitutional affairs. He is the Labour Party spokesman on the constitution in the European Parliament, and the co-author of Parliament's report on the subject.
He is also a campaigner against anti-Europeanism. In 2004 he wrote an exposé of UKIP's far-right links and other unsavoury characteristics, published by Britain in Europe.
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