Will Brown sign the EU treaty?
Updated on 11 December 2007
After a lot of flip-flopping over the EU reform treaty - in the end the Prime Minister will go to Lisbon this week to sign it - he just won't be doing it on camera.
Whether it's an autograph book, an official document or just a scrap of paper, Gordon Brown's never been backwards about coming forwards with his signature. But when it comes to something as politically sensitive as Europe it's a different story.
On his schools visit today Gordon brown had a sense of direction. But on Europe there's been to-ing and fro-ing. At first Downing Street let it be known the prime minister may not make Thursday's summit to sign the EU treaty. Then today, no 10 said he'd be going after all.
But a pressing Commons engagement would keep him from the actual ceremony where all the other EU leaders will be pictured signing on the dotted line. Mr Brown will be appearing in front of the Commons liaison committee - and quite right too says one of the MPs who will be quizzing him.
A convenient excuse perhaps. But Many MPs suspect the Sun played its part in turning Gordon Brown camera shy. The tabloid newspaper has launched a vociferous campaign against the Reform Treaty, which Euro sceptics claim gives the EU sweeping new powers. If the prime minister thought he was currying favour though by keeping his distance on Thursday, he may be disappointed.
And in a Commons debate on Europe this evening, the Tories couldn't resist having a laugh at the prime minister's expense - and renewing their calls for the treaty to be put to the British people in a referendum.
More worrying for Gordon Brown though, as he prepares to get the treaty ratified by the Commons, are signs of Labour divisions over Europe.
I've been struck today by just how unimpressed senior Labour MPs are by Gordon Brown's manoeuvring. One ex-cabinet minister told me the PM had been pathetic, incompetent and indecisive, and that he'd got himself into a mess. Another former member of the cabinet used the same word - pathetic - and advised when you're in a hole stop digging.
After agreeing the treaty with other EU leaders in October Gordon Brown looked and sounded happy enough. He's never enjoyed European summits though. he refused the champagne on this occasion - but labour backbenchers say the party's got to start toasting Europe's success.
Many understood when, in protest at the attendance of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, Gordon Brown boycotted this weekend's Eu Africa meeting. But always in the past if other European countries send their prime ministers to sign treaties, we send ours.
Number ten made clear tonight Gordon Brown's not just going to be signing Christmas cards this week. Even though he'll miss the official treaty signing ceremony, he'll still add his signature to the document - belatedly and maybe not on camera.
