The British Conservative MP Mr Peter Temple-Morris has said he changed his mind about defecting to Labour last week because developments in his party created a chance to prevent it becoming Euro-sceptic.
He told the Institute of Foreign Affairs in Dublin yesterday he had been "on the very point of defecting". As a "very strong pro-European" all his political life, he said, he found the Conservatives' commitment to campaign against a single currency at the next general election unacceptable, even given the promise of a free vote.
But the balance shifted against his defection when first Mr Kenneth Clarke and then Mr Michael Heseltine took strong public positions in favour of Europe. Two shadow ministers also resigned on the issue, and Mr Heseltine accepted chairmanship of a pro-European group known as Conservative Mainstream.
"It was quite clear to me that once again at least there was a chance to prevent the Conservatives becoming a Euro-sceptic party. This was a struggle I could not walk away from."
He praised the handling of the issue by Labour, and by Mr Tony Blair, whom he met twice.
"I was treated with complete courtesy and respect. They could not have been nicer or more understanding, publicly or privately, when I decided to stay within the Conservative fold," he said.