Europhile Tories May Break Away

A senior Labour source said that talks had been taking place since the general election and that a small number of Europhile Tories were preparing to break away from the party if its new leader adopts a Euro-sceptic stance.

The source was not prepared to name names or go in to details, but it is thought that up to ten Conservatives may be involved. Those concerned may not actually quit the Tory party, although this was not ruled out, but they may decide to vote with Labour on European legislation.

"In the Tory leadership election, two of the contenders - and one of the realistic contenders - has ruled out a single currency under any circumstances.
"Now certainly in the past there have been Conservative MPs who have been interested in talking to us about the way they might relate to a Labour government should that situation arise in the Tory leadership," the source said.

William Hague has spent much of the last week hardening his position on Europe which, according to the source, has "horrified" some of the party's Euro-enthusiasts. The fear among the group of possible rebels, is that a party led by either Hague or Redwood would rule out any left-of-centre Tories out of the shadow cabinet. The source conceded that the potential defectors did not include any frontbenchers: "We are talking to the little people" he said.

Kenneth Clarke's pro-European campaign manager said that neither he, nor anyone he knew had approached Labour. The former minister said: "I have had no contact with the Labour Party of any description on this subject," he told the Press Association. "I know no one who has had. I think this is the Labour Party trying to stir things up."

Kenneth Clarke confirmed at the weekend that he would not be prepared to serve in a shadow cabinet under either Redwood or Hague.