'Pathetic' Cameron attacked over Euro policy
David Cameron's re-defined policy on Europe branded "pathetic"
Thursday, 05, Nov 2009 09:39
By Richard James.
David Cameron's re-defined policy on Europe has provoked fierce criticism from a French minister who has branded it "pathetic".
Following the Czech Republic's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty earlier this week, the Conservative leader was forced to re-establish his party's stance on Europe after acknowledging he would no longer be able to hold a referendum as promised if elected prime minister next year.
Mr Cameron's plans to wrestle power back from the European Union and offer a referendum on any further changes to British law established in Brussels has been met with considerable anger on the continent and within his own party.
Pierre Lellouche, the French minister for Europe, told the Guardian newspaper Mr Cameron's plans would marginalise Britain with regard European affairs.
"It's pathetic. It's just very sad to see Britain, so important in Europe, just cutting itself out from the rest and disappearing from the radar map," he said.
"They have essentially castrated your UK influence in the European Parliament."
Two Tory MEPs, Roger Helmer and Daniel Hannan, have also stepped down in response to the party's new stance.
In confirming his decision, Mr Helmer declared: "Our new European policy is confused and essentially cosmetic - and I cannot defend it from the frontbench."
In a press conference yesterday, Mr Cameron claimed it was now pointless to hold the referendum he promised on the Lisbon Treaty as it longer existed as a treaty but instead as law.
The treaty is set to come into effect next month with the aim of streamlining decision making in the EU as well as creating a president and foreign affairs representative for the European Council.
Mr Cameron instead vowed a "referendum lock" to allow the British people have a say in any further power being transferred to the EU.