David Cameron was today warned of a new Tory revolt over Europe as Nick Clegg and George Osborne said the Government will not be bound by last night’s vote in Parliament for a real-terms cut in the EU budget.
In a passionate speech, the Deputy Prime Minister said it was not possible to “wave a magic wand”, and he insisted that a real-terms freeze in European spending was “a good offer” to the EU.
“The Coalition government’s position remains the same,” he declared. “We will not accept an increase, above inflation, to the EU Budget. That is a real-terms freeze.” He warned that the next time MPs hold a division on the issue it would be “a crunch vote”.
Mr Osborne delivered the same message, but in softer language, and said MPs would have to choose between a “deal” and “no deal” after the talks of the 27 EU leaders. “It is the beginning of a negotiation, let’s see where that negotiation leads,” said the Chancellor. He added that the real test was after negotiations. “ You either accept the deal or you accept no deal,” he said.
Their message was interpreted by Tory rebels as a signal that the Government thinks it can face down rebels when a deal is done — although some MPs said they would vote against any increase at all.
Mark Pritchard, one of the leaders of last night’s revolt, said: “If the Government ignores the voice of the people through their elected representatives in Parliament, it will confirm that Britain is effectively run by an elected dictatorship.” The Prime Minister went down to a humiliating Commons defeat last night when 53 Conservatives joined with Labour to demand the cut in EU spending. Big name Tory rebels included Londoners Nick de Bois (Enfield North), Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park), Bob Stewart (Beckenham) and Andrew Rosindell (Romford).
But former Tory minister Sir Tony Baldry said the Tories were doomed to lose power like John Major unless they backed Mr Cameron. “There are many unhappy parallels here and colleagues have just got to start recognising that if we want to continue in Government we’v e got to get a grip and start supporting the Prime Minister.”
Labour were attacked for being opportunist. Mr Osborne claimed Ed Miliband’s tactics took him “a step further away from government, while Mr Clegg called Labour “hypocritical”. But shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said it consistently urged lower spending.
