Comment du Jour

Euroland’s Sandbox Battle

The most recent “make or break” Euro summit just finished in Brussels, with yet another pledge by most countries to finally get their fiscal act together. The Euro currency, used by a core of European Union members, but not Britain, continues to be tossed on the waves of profligate government spending, a lack of fiscal discipline, and the growing realization that it’s time to Pay the Piper for the debts.

But when push came to shove at the latest Brussels conference, Britain decided to stay in splendid isolation and not be part of the agreement, thus causing a rhetorical tempest across the English Channel, or more specifically between British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Sarkozy openly snubbed Cameron at the meeting and feathers flew. France’s major national newspaper Le Figaro took a quick poll to assess the situation. “Is the United Kingdom part of Europe?” and found a resounding 82% (of 57,000 readers logging in), saying NON!

The British counter-batteries of Fleet Street fired back. The Daily Mail thundered, “Day PM Put Britain First; Defiant Cameron Stands up to Euro Bullies.” The Daily Telegraph wrote “EU Treaty; David Cameron stands as the lone man of Europe.”