Act now and call the anti-Europeans’ bluff – they look absurd and weak | Martin Kettle

There is a golden opportunity to make the case for Britain in Europe. The centre left should seize it

It makes a good headline, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Downing Street, we were told at the start of this week, is plotting an early vote on Europe in 2016. Cue loud cheering on the Tory right, another leap on to a passing bandwagon by Boris Johnson, and much excitement in the anti-EU press.

Now comes a second wave of headlines. Yesterday Nigel Farage said the promise of an immediate vote on Europe – and 2016 is hardly immediate – was the only thing that would persuade Ukip to support any government after May. But as soon as you think about any of this with any care, the conclusion becomes obvious: this is a fantasy. It ain’t going to happen.

It is high time that the pro-European parties took up the cudgels on Europe. This country badly needs a reality check

Cameron is on the lookout to make concessions to the anti-Europeans in a bid to weaken Ukip

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