UK coalition divided over Britain’s EU veto

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg decries PM David Cameron’s veto at the European Council as a “bitter disappointment” and “bad for Britain”.

12 December 2011, 12:00am

1 min read

Deputy Nick Clegg expressed his disappointment at UK Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to exercise Britain's veto during the Euro summit

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Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg expressed his "bitter disappointment" at the UK Prime Minister's decision to veto changes to the structure of the European Union.

Clegg said the changes were "bad for Britain" which could leave the country "isolated and marginalised".

BBC reports Clegg had initially said the coalition was united over the use of the veto. However, he had made it clear to his Prime Minister that it was "untenable" for him to welcome the move.

BBC says Clegg "couldn't believe it when he was told the summit in Brussels had spectacularly unravelled".

Speaking on the veto Clegg said his immediate reaction was "this is bad for Britain".
"I made it clear to the prime minister it was untenable for me to welcome it. And now subsequently I said that I regret ... the outcome," he said in a television interview.

Clegg added the UK now risks of being set adrift after being the only EU nation not to sign a new EU treaty.
"I am bitterly disappointed by the outcome of last week's summit precisely because I think there is now a real danger that over time the United Kingdom will be isolated and marginalised within the European Union," he said.

Meanwhile, Cameron is to face the House of Commons today to explain his decision to exercise Britain's veto.

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I believe that Mr Cameron made the right choice when he opted to Safeguard his Nation’s Sovereignty / Interest. Why should the British or any other Nation pay for the mismanagement of others? On the other hand Mr Gonzi chose to agree. Does a Prime minister has the right to do whatever he wishes even though certain it wan’t part of his electoral program? Is the EU so democratic as to let one person decide for a whole Nation when it comes to a Nation’s interest and Sovereignty? If the EU is so democratic she should have asked ALL member States to discuss the problem in the members state parliaments and and if their is a disagreement then a referendum be held and let its people decide. Is it the intention of the Largest Nations to control colonise the smaller Nations? Where is the equality between the EU member states?

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I agree with Cameron 100% he don't have the right of the people to change the eurozone treaty.The same metrics for fiscal discipline that were lauded last week were already in place,it's just that no one followed them.

Jeffrey Vella •

THE UK HAS ALWAYS BEEN EURO-SCEPTIC.TO THINK THAT BRITIAN EVER CHANGED ITS POSITION REGARDING THE EU IS WISHFUL THINKING. CAMERON DID THE RIGHT THING,WHY SHOULD THE UK CONTRIBUTE TO A DISASTER IT HAD NOT BEEN A PART OF.THE UK WAS RIGHT TO RETAIN THE POUND.ON THE OTHER HAND,GERMANY REGRETS DROPPING THE DEUTSCHE MARK FOR THE EURO.ALTOUGH,IT IS NOT GOING TO ADMIT OUT LOUD.