Leader: Cameron must ensure Britain still has a voice in Europe

Published on Saturday 10 December 2011 00:00

THE United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union has always been uneasy and uncomfortable. Not part of the original European Economic Community, denied entry by General Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s, and joining only after a fractious referendum which divided the political parties, under governments of both left and right the UK has been in, but not of, Europe.

David Cameron’s decision in the early hours of yesterday not to go along with the Franco-German plan – or more accurately the German plan forced on the French – to rescue the imperilled euro has reinforced this position and moved the UK further away from the EU mainstream than it has been for many decades, including during the Thatcher years.

The effective veto delivered by Mr Cameron has met with unbounded joy on the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative Party which sees it as the start of a retrenchment from the EU; limited support from the Liberal Democrats in the UK coalition who were said to have supported it, but clearly fear the isolationist tendency inside the Tories, and fierce criticism from Labour which claims the Prime Minister has left Britain marginalised.

Yet, given that Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy were intent on introducing the so-called Tobin tax on financial transactions, which would hurt both the City of London and Scotland’s financial services industry as part of their proposals to stabilise the eurozone, as well as the imposition of control over sovereign countries’ fiscal regimes, Mr Cameron had little choice but to dig in his heels.

Labour’s claim he should have worried less about his rebellious back-benchers and sought a deal in Europe lacks credibility, first because the official opposition will not say what they would have done were they in power, and second, because even if the Prime Minister had spent this week touring every European capital it seems unlikely he could have avoided taking the stand he did, faced with the determination by Mrs Merkel and Mr Sarkosy to proceed with their plan.

However, Mr Cameron’s decision will undoubtedly have very serious implications for the UK. It is clear 26 members of the EU, including those outside the currency zone, are intent on pressing ahead with the German plans. The obvious danger is the UK will not be consulted on the potentially serious implications for this country. Further, if the UK is ignored on this, it might be ignored on other major decisions, even in areas where it has a right to be at the heart of decision-making, for example on the single market.

It is clear there has been a sea-change in British-EU relations, forced on a reluctant Prime Minister who is not himself an extreme Eurosceptic. Mr Cameron’s task now is to ensure that his decision does not result in Britain being marginalised from the EU bloc with which, whatever our differences, we have vital trade and political links.

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IanElder

Monday, December 12, 2011 at 02:11 AM

it's never too late to realise and admit your mistake. Better late than never. What Cameron has done is to endanger Britain's future propserity just to satisfy the old Ango hostility to Europe. It's crazy to move away from Europe when over 60% of the UK trade is with Europe. Thank goodness that Nick Clegg has wised up at last and has spoken against the direction cameron has taken. Clegg and his Lib Dems should get out now from an un wise coalition. It would be better for Clegg and his Liberals to decide to support oppose on a case by case basis.

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Beachdair

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 04:50 PM

#3 Ian Elder - You say "The Lib Dems should speak out against the position adopted by Cameron and show that they (Lib Dems) have some integrity and backbone." It's far too late for that now, Mr Elder.

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ali2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Hey 5 seen the latest poll. Dear oh dear name calling idiots like you are fairly getting hammered. Good riddance and go back to your rat hole.

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wpd

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:25 AM

# Mr Gus, My recollection is that there was a referendum under Heath when the British electorate voted for a common market. Thereafter, a series of politicians stealthily hijacked the authority of the Britiah people and went well beyond what we had originally voted for.

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neoloon

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:09 AM

As Westminster sets a new course towards independence from the EU - a referendum will happen eventually,regardless of Cameron's denial - it now behoves the Scottish government to work even harder for Scotland's independence from the uk.Westminster has shown the way forward for a dual exit from benighted unionism.Well done,Dave! As Mrs thatcher has gone down in history for boosting the independence movement in Scotland,so shall Mr Cameron be seen in such favourable light.Well done,I say again!

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6

wee-scamp

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 09:56 AM

#5 But unlike Cameron who has refused to give the UK a referendum Mr Salmond has said that an independent Scotland will get to vote on whether it joins the EU or not and if it says "yes" then there would be antoher vote later on whether or not Scotland joins the Euro, Personally although I'm pro SNP and strongly pro Scottish independence I'm not supportive of joining the EU and would prefer to adopt the same position as Norway which would allow us to control our own fishing and agricultural industries and it would ensure the EU can't take control of our oilgas reserves or the regulation of the industry.

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nabodican

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 09:18 AM

Never mind, wee fat Eck wants to take us in to Europe so we can continue to be screwed.

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4

SlyFifer

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 09:14 AM

What the UK joined is not what we have now. We have not been asked as our soveriegnity has been signed away by successive UK PM's. All we know is our costs have risen massively, we give away 835 Million a year, watch our fishing indusrty tank and as for other manufacturing, well, that tanked long ago. Show me the benifits of being in either union UKEU ?.

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IanElder

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 09:05 AM

The position taken by david cameron is very unfortunate for Britain as it could affect relations with continental Europe for years to come. It could also impact Britain's relations with other countries in that they would see Britain as not a team-player and not to be trusted. In my view this is an ideal opportunity for Britain's Liberal Democrats to find their way again and have a good influence on Britain's future. The Lib Dems should speak out against the position adopted by Cameron and show that they (Lib Dems) have some integrity and backbone. The Lib Dems could say that they had supported the Torry led coalition for the best of reasons - to provide the country with a period of stable government - and felt that they had made a significant contribution but thwey could say that the PM has taken an unfortunate stand and that the Lib Dems can't support him in regard to the relationship with the EEC.

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2

gus1940

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 07:21 AM

Correct me if I am wrong but my recollection is that Heath took us in without a referendum . A referendum did take place under Wilson as to whether or not The UK should leave The EEC.

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Beachdair

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 05:04 AM

The UK can maintain relationships with the EU bloc without being dominated - or effectively governed - by the profoundly undemocratic, overly bureaucratic, imperialistic, arrogant, corrupt and often demonstrably incompetent EU. The UK remains a member of the European Economic Area (the original Common Market), and can become a key member of the European Free trade Association (EFTA) if it becomes too disgusted by the EU's imperialism. Moreover, the purported trade benefits of the EU have been largely incorporated into the World trade Organisation, in which the EU cannot act as an entity.

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