13.05.13
Cameron in ‘impossible situation’ over Europe
Former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind has criticised Tory ministers who have broken ranks over Europe, saying they would vote to leave the EU if a referendum was held now.
Both education secretary Michael Gove and defence secretary Philip Hammond spoke out on Sunday, and this week Conservative backbenchers are pushing for an amendment to the Parliamentary motion welcoming the Queen’s speech, regretting the absence of an in/out referendum on Europe.
Prime minister David Cameron has said he will hold a referendum in 2017, if re-elected, following renegotiation of the UK’s membership with the EU. He is currently attending talks with Barack Obama for an EU-US trade deal that could bring £10bn annual benefits to Britain, if it retains its membership.
Sir Malcolm told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “What they're doing is putting the prime minister in an impossible situation. He cannot simply vote for this amendment because it would split the Coalition right down the middle. But at the same time, the motion cannot win because there is not a parliamentary majority for it.
“This amendment isn't going to get carried. So all those supporting it will have achieved is they will have split their own party. They will, as you have seen, cast questions over the prime minister's authority and indirectly, unintentionally, they will be helping the Labour party's prospects at the next election. That is not just foolish, it is quite contrary to all the political instincts of a responsible political party that wants to hold and retain power after the next general election.”
Gove told the Andrew Marr show: “My preference is for a change in Britain's relationship with the European Union. My ideal is exactly what the majority of the British public's ideal is, which is to recognise the current situation is no good, to say that life outside would be perfectly tolerable, we could contemplate it, there would be certain advantages.
“But the best deal for Europe, and for Britain, would be if Britain were to lead the change that Europe needs.”
Hammond, interviewed for Pienaar's Politics on BBC radio, later said: “If the choice is between a European Union written exactly as it is today and not being a part of that then I have to say that I'm on the side of the argument that Michael Gove has put forward.”
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Image c. European Parliament