THE SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
I have been very greatly reassured to learn, from, as they say, some of the very best sources, that my suspicious fears that the crucial Cabinet decision on the Common Market has already been taken, are quite groundless. I had thought that the decision in favour of entry was already made and that what Geoffrey Rippon was' up to in his negotiations was to secure the best possible terms, which, whatever they were, would then be adopted by the Cabinet, forced upon the Tory party, and thereafter in one fashion or another enjoined upon the country.
In fact it is very far indeed from the case that the Cabinet had made up its collective mind. The Cabinet will wait and see what Geoffrey brings them back from Brussels; and it is very far from being a foregone conclusion that its members collectively will like what they see. Not only is the Cabinet itself formally uncommitted. Some of its most senior members are very sceptical in- deed that any kind of deal will be on. From among those uncommitted, I do not exclude the Prime Minister. He is not committed beyond the point of no return.
And is the Home Secretary and deputy PM? Is the Foreign Secretary? Is the Sec- retary of State for the Environment? IS the Secretary of State for Employment (especially now)? Is the Chancellor, really? Is the Leader of the House? Is the Chief Whip? I suggest that none of them are.
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