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Liberal Democrat MEPs react to the outcome of the EU Summit
December 9, 2011 9:57 AM
Diana Wallis MEP
Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, Diana Wallis, has expressed her regret and deep concern at the outcome of last night's Europe's leaders crucial summit in Brussels.
Diana Wallis, a Vice President of the European Parliament, expressed her 'regret and deep concern' after the results of the meeting became known, adding:"As a country we have left ourselves on the outside looking in and it is far from clear whose interest this serves if our Government is not to be at the decision-making table."More importantly some governments felt it right to express their agreement to the plan from last night subject to consent by their home parliament; why could Mr Cameron not have done this, especially in the context of a coalition government?
"Likewise the method adopted by the heads of government is excessively intergovernmental, by-passing Europe's elected parliament; the final text gives one nodding recognition to the European Parliament in respect of 'secondary' legislation. If we are not careful we are watching democratic accountability at a European level fly out the window at a time when it was never more needed.
"In short, this is a sad day for Britain, a sad day for Europe and a sad day for democracy."
Chris Davies MEP
Britain betrayed by Cameron
David Cameron was this morning accused of relegating Britain to the second division of Europe.
Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies claimed that by wrecking agreement between EU countries in Brussels the Prime Minister had ensured that a two speed Europe would develop.
He said: "Far from keeping Britain strong, Cameron has ensured that we will lose our influence at the top table.
"By seeking to protect bankers from regulation, he has betrayed Britain's real interests and done nothing in practice to help the City of London.
"The fear now must be that we will increasingly lose the opportunity to affect decisions being taken that are bound to affect us.
"The consequence of the xenophobic attitudes towards our European neighbours that have been allowed to develop has been to leave Britain weak. We have shot ourselves in the foot."
Sir Graham Watson MEP
Commenting on the outcome of the European Council meeting, ELDR President and South West Liberal Democrat MEP Sir Graham Watson said:
"The agreement by EU heads of state and government is a decisive step forward in the management of Europe's economy and the Euro.""It is regrettable that the United Kingdom has chosen not to join this initiative. It remains in the UK's medium to long term interest to be a part of the main axis of European advance and I hope the UK's position will be reviewed."