Fog in Channel, Cameron Cut Off

While Prime Minister David Cameron was making his long-awaited speech on thefuture of the U.K.’s relationship with the rest of Europe this week, Brusselswas shrouded in fog. Inevitably, a number of European newspapers recalled theold joke on British insularity, allegedly from a 1930 Daily Mirror headline:"Fog in Channel: Continent Cut Off."

Cameron, in his speech, tried to play it both ways: He wants a newrelationship with Europe and is at the same time determined that the U.K. shouldremain inside the European Union. Legislation will be prepared for a referendumto put the issue to the people, and after the next election in 2015, assuming aConservative victory, Britons will vote in the first half of the next four-yearto five-year parliament.