LONDON (AFX) - Prime Minister Tony Blair's likely successor Gordon Brown should not be expected to change current British EU policy, Europe minister Geoff Hoon said in an interview published today.
Geoff Hoon, in an interview with the Financial Times, brushed off suggestions that Brown, the current finance minister, had a more euro-sceptic outlook than Blair.
'It is a caricature that there might be some difference,' he said. 'I don't see why there should be any particular change.'
Hoon also hinted that Britain may not need a referendum to ratify a European draft constitution.
'No previous government has held a referendum on the detailed processes that have been involved in treaty change,' he said.
Germany is set to use its six-month presidency of the EU, starting Jan 1, to try to breathe new life into the constitution.
Some observers believe there could be a quick push in this direction after the French presidential elections in April.
The constitution could be one of the first big issues facing Brown if he becomes premier, as Blair is due to step down by next September at the latest. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/cw COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2006. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited