Richard Corbett, Labour's Deputy Leader in Europe , has stated that the Conservatives' internal election results showed that David Cameron was "a leader who is not being followed".
Commenting after results which saw Tim Kirkhope defeat James Elles, Richard Ashworth (who is also in favour of remaining inside the European People's Party) defeat Geoffrey Van Orden, and long-time europhile Sir Robert Atkins appointed as Chief Whip, Richard said: "These results mean that the three leading Tory MEPs are all opposed to Cameron's promise to withdraw from the centre-right EPP. Their election with large majorities is a clear statement from the Conservative delegation that David Cameron will have to fight them to the death on this pledge"
Furthermore, referring to Tory MEP Christopher Beazley's speech yesterday in the Parliament, in which he declared that Britain should have been a founder member of the Eurozone, and adding that he (Beazley) looked forward "to the next Conservative Government applying to join the euro zone really quite shortly",
Richard added: "That Conservative MEPs feel so emboldened as to make such public statements shows that they are in mutiny against their party leadership"
Concluding, Richard Corbett said: "Whatever edicts David Cameron tries to enforce from Smith Square , he is a leader who is not being followed."
1 - More information on Timothy Kirkhope's "Alternative Treaty" can be found at - http://www.richardcorbett.org.uk/briefing/toriestreaty.htm
2 - The transcript of Christopher Beazley's speech:
Christopher Beazley (PPE-DE). - Mr President, on the question of Britain 's membership of the euro zone, I think it has always been the case that Britain has been reluctant to join European agreements at the outset. It has learnt very quickly to regret that decision. We then apply to join at the worst possible moment. Had we been founder members of the euro zone - which we should have been - we would have been in a much stronger position today. I look forward to the next Conservative Government applying to join the euro zone really quite shortly.
more information
Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP
- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
© 2003-2006 Richard Corbett MEP