Deputy PM Clegg Attacks David Cameron Over EU Treaty Veto
Dec 10, 2011 3 Comments ›› Angelia
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has launched an attack on David Cameron for “isolating” the UK in Europe with his veto of changes to the EU treaty.
Sources close to the Liberal Democrat leader said he did not feel the failed eurozone crisis negotiations had resulted in a good deal for the UK.
The BBC understands Mr Clegg was dismayed when he was woken early on Friday to hear of the PM’s decision.
Initially Mr Clegg said the coalition government was united in its position.
But now sources close to him have confirmed that he “doesn’t think this is a good deal for Britain”.
Mr Clegg “couldn’t believe it”, they said, when he was told the summit in Brussels had “spectacularly unravelled”.
BBC political correspondent Robin Brant says the comments linked to Mr Clegg mark a considerable change in tone from Friday when he said he and Mr Cameron had worked together on the UK’s negotiating stance.
This will add to existing tensions over Europe in the coalition, our correspondent adds.
The prime minister blocked changes to the EU’s Lisbon Treaty at an EU summit, arguing that the proposed changes were not in the UK’s interest.
It now looks likely that all 26 other members of the European Union will agree to a new “accord” setting out tougher budget rules aimed at preventing a repeat of the current eurozone crisis.
The Independent on Sunday quotes a source “close to Mr Clegg”, as saying: “Nick certainly doesn’t think this is a good deal for Britain, for British jobs or British growth.
“It leaves us isolated in Europe and that is not in our national interest. Nick’s fear is that we become the lonely man of Europe.
“He could not believe that Cameron hadn’t tried to play for more time. That is not how Nick would have played Britain’s hand.”
The paper also quotes a Lib Dem source who says that if the Conservatives “think we can now go back to Europe with a sackful of demands about repatriating powers, they are living in a fantasy world”.
