Erstellt am: 25. 10. 2011 - 14:55 Uhr

Britain and the Euro-sceptics

Reality Check: Britain and Europe, Tunisia's new political scene, torture in Syrian hospitals, Wikileaks, Duqu worm

It's something few non-English people can understand - just what is it with England and the rest of Europe? While most of us on mainland Europe can relate to the country we live in as having its own character as well as being a part of Europe, in England people generally see themselves as somehow on the edge of Europe - an honorary member of the club, but not quite part of it.

At the Euro summit at the weekend, British Prime Minister, David Cameron was fairly directly told to shut up and quit whinging by French President, Nicholas Sarkozy. It was hardly a surprising response to Cameron's rather patronising manner towards the troubles of the Eurozone, but to some extent reflected the general state of England-France relations for the last 1.000 years. The Norman Conquest of Britain, the 100 years' war, and the Battle of Waterloo are just a few of the highlights of this "special relationship". All events long in the past - but old habits die hard, as they say.

No doubt Cameron was a little offended at Sarkozy's rebuff, but probably not as offended as he now must be at the behaviour of his own back-benchers. The anti-Europe feeling in Britain is not confined to the political extremes; it's very much present in the mainstream, which may be something Cameron has underestimated. When a few of his junior members of parliament (the so called "back benchers") proposed a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, they were, in fact, reflecting the majority of British people, according to opinion polls. Cameron ordered his party to reject the proposal - but over 80 of them disobeyed him, a record rebellion level, but also indicative of the level of Euro-scepticism in the government.

Joanna Bostock asked political analyst and journalist, Ivor Gaber, whether such a referendum would receive popular support if it ever happened. Ivor says polls must be read cautiously, because what people say in the street isn't necessarily how they vote, but he also points out an interesting divide. Among young voters (18-24), only 28% would vote to leave Europe, whereas among older voters (over 65) it is 64%.

Perhaps if they hang on in there, the majority of Brits may start to feel they belong to Europe - who knows, they may even adopt the Euro - if there is still a Euro to adopt.

Tunisia's new political landscape

Although the votes are still being counted, the Ennahda party is claiming victory in the Tunisian elections. The party says it is moderate Islamic, and models itself on the Turkish government, but what does it really stand for, and who are its members. Our reporter, Lucien Giordani tells Steve Crilley about the latest developments.

Torture in Syrian hospitals

According to a report by Amnesty International, patients in Syrian hospitals are being subjected to torture in an effort to suppress dissenters. Cilina Nasser of AI is one the authors of the report, and she describes what she has seen.

The end of Wikileaks

With a so called "financial blockade" being imposed on Wikileaks by US financial companies, Julian Assange says the whistle blowing website may have to close at the end of the year.

The website has hardly updated since Assange has been on bail pending extradition proceedings to Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault.

Assange biographer, Luke Harding, says Wikileaks is now suffering the consequences of being effectively a one-man operation.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

Duqu

Duqu is the name of a new computer worm that is appearing in some very high places. Mikko Hyponnen, of F-Secure explains to Joanna Bostock what this very sinister piece of malware might be trying to achieve.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12 to 14, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.