Now that Italy has moved into the arena of unrealised bail-out, the focus has shifted towards politics. Two democratically elected leaders have made way for governments of technocrats designed to implement the measures required for austerity. Political parties are conscious of the potential for unpopularity; to be seen defending the euro becomes the third rail; to be heard advocating an alternative is still extremist.
Democracy is a matter of competing visions. By signing up to one destination, the political classes have destroyed that choice. Opposition has moved into inchoate protests and riots, for now. The decisions taken by Greece and Italy need to be viewed as short-term measures, biddable professionals whose legitimacy is lacking. Set against the rising reaction to imposed austerity is the strong focus upon the future of the European Union. Treaty fatigue has been cured by crisis. Measures up to a full-blown state are now in play.
Iain Martin makes too much of the incoherent rumours coming out of these negotiations. His call for leadership by Britain of the other ten resembles a befuddled and blurred snapshot. Cameron may be handicapped by Liberal Democratic partners, but doing nothing here could be construed as do no harm. The sidelines are not a bad place to be; as we are not on the train, we will never arrive at the station. If they join together as a state, the pro-European lemmings will be revealed as incoherent chumps, stranded in a no-mans land where the vision has gone and they are left behind. Playing catch-up is not an option. The only other way is out.
Euroscepticism will triumph by default.
