Cameron facing Tory eurosceptics’ ire
David Cameron is braced for a Tory eurosceptic backlash after dropping Britain’s opposition to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) being used to enforce a new fiscal compact for the eurozone.
The prime minister has previously insisted that European Union institutions could not be used for a new pact because Britain will not be a signatory.
After his use of the veto last month to block a new treaty, he said the European Commission and the European Court of Justice could only carry out policies applying to all 27 member states.
But after a further EU summit in Brussels, Mr Cameron did not press his case against the use of the institutions and said Britain would only make any challenge if its interests were “threatened”.
Twenty-five of the EU’s 27 member states agreed to join the fiscal treaty to implement budget discipline.
Britain and the Czech Republic refused to sign up.
In as much as this is about fiscal union, fine: if it encroaches on the single market, not fine – David Cameron
Mr Cameron said: “We don’t want to hold up the eurozone doing what is necessary to solve the crisis as long as it doesn’t damage our national interests, so it’s good that the new treaty states clearly that it cannot encroach upon the competences of the union and that they must not take measures that undermine the EU single market.”
He added: “The key point here for me is what is in our national interest, which is for them to get on and sort out the mess that is the euro. That’s in our national interest.
Cameron at crossroads after EU veto
“The principle that the EU institutions can only be used with the permission of 27 (member states) has not changed. In as much as this (new treaty) is about fiscal union, fine. If it encroaches on the single market, not fine.”
Tory MPs who rejoiced after Mr Cameron wielded the veto have already begun to voice their criticisms, and the subject is likely to be discussed at the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s particularly ironic when the EU lectures developing countries about the importance of good governance and the rule of law – Martin Callanan
Leader of Tory MEPs Martin Callanan said: “There is no doubt that the government’s position has altered since the December summit, when they were insisting the institutions could not be used.
“I blame a combination of appeasing Nick Clegg, who is desperate to sign anything the EU puts in front of him, and the practical reality that this pact is actually quite hard to prevent. The government would have to ask the European Court of Justice to rule against itself having a role.”
He added: “Any action could easily take two years, we would probably lose and, if the euro collapsed in the meantime, the UK would get the blame.
“It’s particularly ironic when the EU lectures developing countries about the importance of good governance and the rule of law.”
Faisal Islam on economics: Euro collapse contingencies at Davos