Ny nestleder i Høyre, Ola Svenneby, was a guest on Politisk kvarter. Programme host Håvard Grønlie asked why the national convention did not enshrine a new referendum on the EU. It then emerged that Høyre is not certain whether it is necessary.

It is remarkable if Høyre has adopted an EU resolution without including a referendum as a precondition. The people are thus not to be asked. The explanation is, of course, that the people have twice said no. The majority is still negative, and Høyre knows that if they ask, they will receive a no. But without a referendum they have opportunities to drive forward a process that ends in membership. For example, through the introduction of the euro at a favourable exchange rate against today’s low krone. That may have been the plan all along.

Norway is, in energy terms, inextricably linked to the Continent, and the EU has in recent times repeatedly advocated that Norway become a member.

Thus far, the referendum has lain as a barrier that the yes side has not known how to circumvent.

Until Høyre thought of something clever: One dispenses with the referendum.

If Ap concurs, it can happen.

One hypes up fear of war and the need to “stand together”, both against Russia and the United States.

There is a reason why hatred of Trump has been cultivated for ten years. Now the result comes: We become a member of the EU.