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Eurozone Crisis: Clegg 'Furious' At Cameron's Veto Of European Treaty

Eurozone Crisis

First Posted: 10/12/11 22:13 GMT Updated: 10/12/11 22:23 GMT   PA

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Cabinet tensions over David Cameron's decision to veto a European Union treaty have burst into the open as it emerged that Nick Clegg was privately furious with the Prime Minister.

Despite publicly backing Mr Cameron, the Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister feels his actions were not in Britain's best interests and leaves the country isolated in Europe.

A source close to europhile Mr Clegg told The Independent on Sunday that the outcome of Thursday night's negotiations at the European Council in Brussels had been "a spectacular failure to deliver in the country's interest".

"Nick certainly doesn't think this is a good deal for Britain, for British jobs or British growth," the source said.

"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."

The source said Mr Clegg "couldn't believe it" when, on Friday morning, he was informed of the course of events and how Mr Cameron had sought to negotiate with fellow EU leaders.

The future of the coalition is already under scrutiny with Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg facing conflicting demands from their respective backbenchers in the wake of the dramatic veto.

Jubilant eurosceptic Tories have stepped up calls for a full renegotiation of Britain's position in the EU, only for Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes to insist the issue was "not on the table" and that Conservatives should "calm down".

Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable also expressed concern that Britain had "finished in a bad place" at the EU summit, where the 26 other nations embarked on a deal to save the euro without the involvement of the UK.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: "I am not criticising the Prime Minister personally. Our policy was a collective decision by the coalition. We finished in a bad place."

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Cabinet tensions over David Cameron's decision to veto a European Union treaty have burst into the open as it emerged that Nick Clegg was privately furious with the Prime Minister. Despite publicly...
Cabinet tensions over David Cameron's decision to veto a European Union treaty have burst into the open as it emerged that Nick Clegg was privately furious with the Prime Minister. Despite publicly...
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eloracbmulp
20 Fans
07:28 PM on 12/13/2011
I'm getting quite sick of the people who elected GWB as president, giving us advice on the Eurozone. You have NEWT Gingrich (fat little mamas boy), or Mitt Romney, (who can't decide which fence to sit on), to chose between for President.

Puuurrrleeeease. Give us a break. When middle America decides to get an education,then you can give us a little advice.

Did you know, that like GWB ( never been out of the USA until he became president), only 20% of Americans have passports. They have never travelled and are as insular as all get out. Travel broadens the mind, so guess how broad the USA's joint mind is.

NOT.
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floodberg
Attorney (ret.)
857 Fans
06:15 PM on 12/12/2011
MODS; I've put in 4, count 'em 4, replies to Ibsteve2u...and all have been raptured. You should have one in the hopper. What's the problem? IBSTEVE2U: for some reason my replies to you are getting raptured. Sorry about that.
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moneytalkstoo
3 Fans
12:55 PM on 12/12/2011
It was surreal and yet strangely predictable.. funny cartoon on that summit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSTH-DL0A44
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floodberg
Attorney (ret.)
857 Fans
09:25 PM on 12/12/2011
Moneytalkstoo, I'm gonna fan you just for that link!  If you're the genius behind that station, tell 'em to keep 'em coming!  I'd be happy to contribute some ideas to the writer...like euro trying to justify Clause 15 of the fiscal compact to dollar and pound; it ensures that there will be no more Greek haircuts; no matter how predatory the rate and unjustifiable the loan, the bankers will aways get paid IN FULL! 

FOLKS, THESE ARE THE FUNNIEST, MOST INTELLIGENT VIDEOS ON THE EURO I'VE EVER SEEN!!!  Take a few minutes and have a laugh!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFAhW7RyUyY&feature=related
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Ramkshrestha
Welcome to Nepal - the birthplace of Buddha
232 Fans
 
12:37 PM on 12/12/2011
Now UK is facing double problem - internal and external and both of them are very challenging. EU will unite in the coming days with new strategies.
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floodberg
Attorney (ret.)
857 Fans
10:24 PM on 12/12/2011
Treaties covering the EU 27 nations require UNANIMOUS approval; they've got no treaty, no mechanism for allowing approval with only a majority and no way to create one (as that would create a third tier.)  They're really scr*wed: they'd need to do a treaty with all 27 to agree to allow either 'opt-outs' or a majority...and that can't happen now.  I also think Sweden will still say no...this treaty is all loss and no gain for them; Czechoslovakia and Hungary are also leaning no.
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all thats left
53 Fans
 
11:58 AM on 12/12/2011
6.8 Million people voted Lib-Dem at the last election! They did not vote for economic austerity, cuts in the public sector, a dismantling of the NHS, an increase in tuition fees or a diminution in Britain's role in the EU - Clegg has let each and every one of those voters down.
Every Lib-Dem should today be insisting that the leadership pulls out of the coalition.
The following article expands on this:
http://www.allthatsleft.co.uk/2011/12/what-is-the-point-of-the-lib-dems/
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scsfoxrabbit
scsfoxrabbit
86 Fans
01:11 PM on 12/12/2011
Or vote our "leader" out of office and incinerate the so-called "orange book" which is really a "blue book".
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majesticjkr
Always look on the bright side of life
69 Fans
11:15 AM on 12/12/2011
Clegg has got to go to jail or go home,
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Boll X
33 Fans
10:56 AM on 12/12/2011
He's had it , he's gotta go, let Dave run the whole show.
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emillio11
90 Fans
10:21 AM on 12/12/2011
We have all seen the effect of countries like the so called PIIGS of joining the eurozone currency. It hasn't worked for them and it will continue not to work for them. Their gross national product is not one that can compete with France, Germany or even Italy. Instead they thought they were joining the 'gravy train' with easy access to loans and open markets. GB did not join because the safety measures in place were not sufficiently robust to sustain prolonged indebtedness. We understood that sooner or later the eurozone would come to this point where indivdual country's spending could not be matched by their gross national product to pay their loans off. The Germans and French, from what I have heard may be gloating at GB now but ask their working class individuals what they think and most are very upset that they have no control or say over just how their hard earned taxes are used. They have to wait until the next general election to voice their concern by the power of their vote. Sarkozy is likely to go and so was the Haus Frau until they both were seen to be smirking, confidently at DC's discomfort. We shall see who was right in the future. Europe does not need such leaders as the French and the bergenaus have but such is their culture that satisfied smirking is what they like to do best.
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Call Me Dave57
55 Fans
08:47 AM on 12/12/2011
QUOTE:
"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." UNQUOTE

He's forgotten Swirzerland isn't part of the EU, obviously - so much for his knowledge of Europe?
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Scam2
23 Fans
09:30 AM on 12/12/2011
And Norway........keeping their oilfields and fishing grounds to themselves !!,
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honesttaxpayer
52 Fans
11:05 AM on 12/12/2011
Please note STATE OWNED oil reserves which fund all their taxation needs>
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floodberg
Attorney (ret.)
857 Fans
04:00 AM on 12/12/2011
NICK CLEGG'S OWN WORDS SHAME HIM.

I'm bitterly disappointed by the outcome of last week's summit, precisely because I think now there is a danger that the UK will be isolated and marginalised within the European Union. 

I will fight that tooth and nail. A Britain that leaves the EU will be considered irrelevant by Washington and will be a pygmy in the world when I want us to stand tall in the world.'  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2072637/Nick-Cleggs-bitter-disappointment-David-Camerons-historic-veto.html#ixzz1gHorcHUB

A 'Deputy' PM who thinks so little of his own country and PM that he would say such things is a frightening thing.  Even if he really believes them, he's old enough to know better than to say them; it says nothing about Cameron's credibility, but a great deal about his own. Moreover, his wife is a specialist on the EU law (and working for a US firm for £500K/year), and she knows that by EU terms that can't happen.  One country can (and has) torpedoed a treaty.  Other than eurozone matters that ONLY affect eurozone, no other segmenting is possible.  Nick's a drama queen, and that's rarely a good thing for a politician.

Moreover, I had no idea Clegg is omniscient and thus able to see into the US Congress' hearts. (I'm American: I'd bet there isn't a beating heart among the lot.)  I know one thing; we may have broken off from the UK, but a little spat does not wreck a family. The US and UK will still have each other's backs.  Our older brother provides us cultural and historical stability to anchor us, and as UK's bigger, younger brother, we will make sure no one messes with our family.  That goes double for Germany; fool us once... 

Clegg wants to erase that history and somehow make UK beholden to 'Europe,' but that's his personal goal, not reality.  Wishin' don't make it so, Son. 

Moreover, his use of the term 'pygmy' is objectionable as a racial/ethnic stereotype.  A 'role model' 'in a position of authority' should know better than to use such a phrase, and should apologize publicly and loudly.

The EU tried to get another puppet government going; but the LibDems just didn't have the chops to force the vote  I'm sure NIcky can still find some job in Brussels, where he and the misses will be comfortable while it lasts.

Bye, Nick.  Don't let the door hit you on your way out.
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ibsteve2u
Someone who cares - to his unending regret
1029 Fans
06:17 AM on 12/12/2011
Re: "The US and UK will still have each other's backs."

That is the kind of bold statement I try to avoid when I know that we have a political party that is eager to sell the vast majority of the American people out to further enrich a handful.

And that is in their own backyard...Britain is a long, long way away.
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floodberg
Attorney (ret.)
857 Fans
06:22 PM on 12/12/2011
I'm giving up trying to post a reply; the mods won't let anything come in here (now 5 tries, 2 days).  I'll try once more at the top of the page!
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alangriggs07
8 Fans
02:25 AM on 12/12/2011
It was a collective policy decision said Clegg, so what is he complaining about? We want a trading partnership with the EU. Nothing more, nothing less! Remember the EEC?
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Blindstu
132 Fans
08:00 AM on 12/12/2011
Correct, everything was fine until they started telling us how to live.
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Call Me Dave57
55 Fans
08:52 AM on 12/12/2011
Yeah, NOrway seems to have kept its own currency and it's head down in the current economical crisis and is "only" a member of the EEA, not a full EU member. Norway hasn't wasted it's oil reserve money these last thirty years - unlike the UK, however membership of EEA for trade only is probably something the UK should be thinking about?
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honesttaxpayer
52 Fans
11:08 AM on 12/12/2011
Norway Kept its oil in STATE control thats the difference.
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Upharto
61 Fans
02:09 AM on 12/12/2011
Nick Clegg might see the UK as the isolated man of Europe , but he is the sick man of Europe,he says we will not benifit by being isolated from Europe, but what have we got by being a member,Germany, France,Belgium and all the other EU countries dont want to pay any benifits to their oen paople so they make stupid rules up where their citizens can come over here and claim benifits, and if we try to stop them they threaten to take us before the European courts we are in a no win situation, the Italians wave immigrants through the French wave them through and who ends up with them, the gullable UK.
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santiago sherwood
115 Fans
 
01:35 AM on 12/12/2011
got news for Mr. Clegg, get in touch with your country, they now see there is no place of the most unique culture in europe and the real cultural dynamo of the EU. the PC continent is slowly eroding civil liberties and no want fascist control of finance. Now Grow a spine and stop being an embarrassment to your country.
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Kelly L White
584 Fans
05:20 AM on 12/12/2011
I don't know about what you say, I'm an American living on the continent, in Germany to be precise, and I have more civil liberties here than I have at home. And the police are nicer...

I wonder why.

Oh, and I have a nice, steady job, as does my wife.

And affordable, all encompassing health care.

Just sayin'....
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olafTheAwesome
304 Fans
12:25 AM on 12/12/2011
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