Blair hits back at Toriesover EU presidency


19 June 1998


Blair hits back at Tories
over EU presidency


PRIME Minister Tony Blair hit back at Tories who attacked his handling of the European Union (EU) presidency.

He said Britain had come a long way in the past year in its relations with the rest of the EU.

“The days of the beef war, 14 against one, Government position ravaged by warring factions in the governing party, are over,” he said.

He won unexpectedly warm applause on his first visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg after he spoke of his enthusiasm for the “European ideal”.

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