"Wreckers or Builders?"

PART IV: 1994-1999 – AN ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

The scene

Interrupted election campaign due to death of John Smith. Labour sweeps to victory and leads the Socialists in the European Parliament. Neil Kinnock becomes a Commissioner. Tony Blair revises Clause IV. Three more countries join the EU. Mitterrand’s last stand. Three by-elections. More BSE. New Labour landslide in 1997. Socialist governments lead Europe. Amsterdam Treaty and the Social Chapter. Agreement on single currency. After five years of relative harmony Labour’s large group fell apart with expulsions, resignations and a new electoral system leading to bitter selections. Five peerages. Expenses and Members’ Statute. Pro-European Conservatives. Fraud and resignation of the Santer Commission. Election losses.