Tories condemn euro 'game-playing'

Labour are "playing games" over the euro referendum

Scottish Tories have accused Labour of cynical "game-playing" over the timing of a referendum on the European single currency.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram pressed the Tory attack in a speech at the party's Scottish conference in Perth.

He said Prime Minister Tony Blair and his "favourite sidekick", Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, were playing "now we see you, now we don't" Euro games .

Mr Byers caused confusion on Thursday when he suggested that a referendum on the euro was due next year.

Michael Ancram: "Cynicism and alienation"

Downing Street was forced to issue a denial after his off-the-record comments were made public.

However, Mr Byers' comments came after Mr Blair made some of his most pro-euro comments yet during his interview for the BBC's Newsnight this week.

Mr Ancram said: "Such suggestions and games only increase the sense of cynicism and alienation."

In his speech to the conference, Mr Ancram argued that there were existing ways forward for building on what was valuable in Europe, and discarding what was not.

He said: "We want to see a fundamental review of Europe to ascertain what is working, what is not, what is out of date and what can be improved.

"We believe that as the EU prepares, with our support, for enlargement, the time for such a review has come."

Mr Ancram said the review should have no "no-go-areas".

"That which is working in the right direction and is valuable, such as the single market, we must improve and strengthen.

If you really believe you can win a referendum, come on, do it now - bring it on

Peter Duncan MP

"That which is not working, or is obsolete, we must have the courage to discard."

He told delegates: "The ways in Europe to take this forward are there."

But these ways did not include the "ridiculous" suggestion of a new powerful presidential position at the top of Europe "to give Emperor Blair something to look forward to in his retirement", said Mr Ancram.

And the onslaught was continued by Tory MP Peter Duncan, who challenged Mr Blair to stage a referendum now.

Mr Duncan, MP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, ended a speech to the conference with: "I conclude by challenging you, Mr Blair, or Mr Byers if you're still in office.

"If you really believe you can win a referendum, come on, do it now - bring it on."