Miliband: Weakened Britain bad for Ireland

The most realistic threat to Ireland from Britain’s growing Euroscepticism is that it remains part of the EU but in a much weakened state, which undermines the common interests of both countries, according to outgoing Labour MP David Miliband.

Speaking in Dublin last night at an event organised by Ibec, Mr Miliband said the rise of the UK Independence Party (Ukip) was more a revolt against mainstream parties rather than outright hostility to the EU.

Nevertheless, Europe is unpopular, based on some real and some perceived grievances. “And there is a fever in the Tory party on this issue. It has been long in the making, and is deep in its festering. It is impossible to get through a Tory selection meeting without an arms race on European policy. And if the Tory tragedy is activists obsessed with Europe, Labour’s tragedy is the opposite: not that everyone asks about Europe at selection meetings, but that no one asks about it.”