Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his excellent statesmanship. Does he agree that Britain has much more negotiating strength today, because Europe knows that it is dealing with a Prime Minister who will say no if he needs to, than when we had two Prime Ministers who gave in to bad deal after bad deal, including giving away our rebate for no good reason?
The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. It is the case that on too many occasions under the previous Government, Britain was outnumbered, but on the issue of the rebate, it was given away for nothing in return simply because they wanted to go along with a cosy and comfortable consensus. Sometimes it is necessary to say no. In my judgment, we did not have the safeguards that we needed, so, as a result, it was right not to agree to this treaty.
December 13, 2011
“Britain has much more negotiating strength today”
Most are saying exactly the opposite but I believe you are right and time will show that you are that is if Cameron manages to keep his back bone in place.
December 13, 2011
I wonder what support we shall get on any proposal to reform the CAP, Common Fisheries policy etc?
Pity no-one – with the possible exception of the Americans – seeks a strategy for Growth, but, off course, debts and demonstrations are far more important.