Andrew Duff questions Tory credibility on EU membership

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Jun 2004

East of England Liberal Democrat Euro MP Andrew Duff has challenged his Tory rivals in the election to clarify their position regarding British membership of the European Union.

Speaking at a public meeting in Harlow at lunchtime today, Andrew Duff will say:

"The Conservative Party is showing increased hostility to the European Union. Having read Michael Howard's catalogue of complaints about the current terms of membership - incidentally, most of which were negotiated by previous Tory governments - one begins to wonder whether his commitment to continued British membership of the EU is genuine.

"If the EU is as bad as he says it is, what purpose is achieved by continuing to belong?

"The truth is that the Tories have painted themselves into a corner over Europe. Intimidated by the far right, the modern Conservative Party has completely sacrificed its pro-European past.

"It is clear that the Tories' continued membership of the federalist European People's Party in the European Parliament is a completely untenable.

"The Conservatives should be more honest about their intentions over Europe.

"Many pro-European Tory voters tell us they are thinking of switching to the Lib Dems next Thursday."