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[Guthlac]

http://www.express.c...-soft-on-the-EU


FURIOUS Conservatives accused David Cameron last night of watering down his tough stance on a new EU pact.
Ahead of a summit in Brussels, the Prime Minister was said to be trying to “appease” Lib Dems by allowing the European Court of Justice to police new fiscal controls over eurozone countries.

Martin Callanan, leader of Tory MEPs at Strasbourg, who met Mr Cameron before the summit, said there had been a “climb down” following last year’s EU veto.

“There is no doubt the Government’s position has altered since the December summit, when they were insisting the institutions could not be used.” he said.

“I blame a combination of appeasing Nick Clegg, who is desperate to sign anything the EU puts in front of him, and the practical reality that this pact is actually quite hard to prevent.”

The summit, which was due to last just three hours, is trying to revive market confidence by focusing on the long-term economic outlook.

Leaders were set to agree a statement, declaring: “We have to actively enhance growth and competitiveness, so as to create jobs, preserve our social models, and ensure the well-being of our people”.

But the short-term worries about the Greek debt crisis and a possible default returned to haunt the discussions before they had even begun.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are demanding greater EU control of the Greek economy – including tax and spending to try to force through unpopular austerity measures.

But the idea has infuriated the Greek government, which has insisted it will retain control.

Talks were due to take place on the terms of the fiscal pact, which will tighten central control over eurozone economies.

Speaking before the meeting, Mr Cameron had told Europe to “get really serious” about jobs and growth.

He said: “We need to complete the single market, agree trade deals and make serious efforts to deregulate small bussiness. That’s the agenda I shall be push- ing and I hope to find support.”

But today Mr Cameron is set to face tough questions from Tory MPs in the Commons, where he is due to report back from the conference.

The summit took place against the backdrop of a public sector strike in Belgium, reflecting growing public disquiet across Europe at tough austerity measures which have hit incomes and employment.

All EU leaders managed to beat the stoppage, though some had to arrive in military aircraft to land at an air base 20 miles to the east of Brussels.


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Cameron shows true colours in Brussels

ukip

Monday, 30th January 2012 should be remembered as the day that David Cameron showed the British people his true colours.

Last month he was painted as the returning hero from Brussels when he supposedly used his veto over a new treaty.  There was no treaty text so technically a veto could not be used.

He also made it clear he would not allow EU institutions to be used to co-ordinate and administer any new pact.

How much can change in a few weeks.

His actions are no more than another example of eurosceptic posturing.

It is now clear that the Government has committed a U-turn on December's stance, with David Cameron now happy for various EU institutions to be used by the 26other member states for a new treaty.

The U-turn has even been confirmed by a leading Conservative MEP in Brussels.

Martin Callanan, leader of the Conservative MEPs, said: "There is no doubt that the government's position has altered since the December summit when they were insisting the Institutions could not be used."

Some might argue that this has been done to pacify his coalition partners, others might say that he is not as tough on the EU as he would like you to think.

One thing is for sure: you can not trust David Cameron or the Conservative Party to stand up to the EU.

His actions speak louder than words.
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PM blustering on ECHR to no avail


UKIP Leader Nigel Farage has dismissed the Primer Minister's posturing over the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg today, telling him he must "face the facts".
"David Cameron's blustering to no avail about the harmful effect of the European Court of Human Rights," said Mr Farage.

"He must face the facts and tell people the truth that the UK cannot leave the ECHR or the Convention on Human Rights while we are members of the EU.Cameron forgets

"The stream of ridiculous judgements from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, protecting drug dealers and known terrorists will continue to bind us in knots while we are signed up members of the EU.

"I asked the EU Commission about this issue last year and they made it crystal clear that while the UK is a member of the EU, we must fully comply with the  ECHR. David Cameron should not suggest otherwise."