"It would be very convenient for the government to say, 'Let's get out.' It would be very popular in England, for it's a painful and ghastly thing. And it causes us tension with the U.S.
"But we have to look at our duty."
Browne describes himself as a "politician of convictions." That's why, he says, this year he led the largest rebellion by members of the governing party against the government in Britain in 25 years.
"It was on an industrial-relations bill. I thought that the worker should have the right to a voluntary secret ballot, not just the trade union leaders--as the bill proposed. We got 103 members behind us, but were eventually defeated when the Labor Party backed the government. And Labor is the supposed friend of the workers."
Browne admits that the disagreement didn't score him many points within his Conservative party.
"Democracy is under challenge," he said. "But I refuse to vote against my convictions for the sake of power."