FORMER Tory leader William Hague warned of a looming "catastrophe" of public anger yesterday if the European Constitution becomes a reality.
The Richmond MP intervened in a Commons debate on the Bill which paves the way for next year's referendum to argue the treaty would increase alienation from politics.
The constitution would widen the "gulf" between the people and decision-makers, because more of those decisions would me made in Brussels, rather than in Britain.
Mr Hague said: "At a time of disaffection, does it make it better or does it make it worse? This treaty, this constitution will make it worse."
Adding that Britain would "regret" backing the constitution in the vote expected in March 2006, Mr Hague said: "It is a separation which will result in catastrophe in due course."
But Mr Hague's pro-European neighbour, Skipton and Ripon MP David Curry, said a No vote on the constitution would prevent Britain "resolving this persistent neurosis and ambivalence about Europe"
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