Britain stays out of EU financial crisis deal

[T_i_B]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16104275

Mr Cameron said it was not in Britain's interest "so I didn't sign up to it".

But France's President Sarkozy said his "unacceptable" demands for exemptions over financial services blocked the chance of a full treaty. A full accord of "wasn't possible, given the position of our British friends," President Sarkozy said.

Of the 27 EU members Britain and Hungary look set to stay outside the accord, with Sweden and the Czech Republic having to consult on it.

Mr Cameron told a press conference: "We want the Eurozone countries to come together and solve their problems. But we should only allow that to happen within the EU treaties if there are proper protections for the single market, for other key British interests. Without those safeguards it is better not to have a treaty within a treaty, but have those countries make their arrangements separately. It was a tough decision but the right one."

[BooScout]

1. Sarkozy is just pouting....

....because he hasn't been able to slap a financial transaction tax on all things London and help fund the latest EU crackpot scheme. perhaps Merkel will let him cling to her skirts to console himself?

[non sociopath skin]

2. I've always felt at sea with the EU and now I feel even more so.

I've always liked the idea of European countries jaw-jawing rather than war-warring and the idea of free trade and free movement of people appeals.

However, the democratic deficit has become more and more of a problem for me as has the feeling that the EU is little more than a Bankers' solidarity group.

All the same, I can't see that Dave taking his ball home is going to solve anything.

The Skin

[dipsydoodle]

3. EU veto 'no threat to coalition'

The chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, has said the EU veto does not threaten the coalition, defending the Conservatives' and Liberal Democrats' right to disagree over David Cameron's decision to block a new EU agreement.

Amid fears that the rift between the two parties over Cameron's veto could be fatal, the senior Lib Dem cabinet minister said Nick Clegg was entitled to speak out but expressed sympathy for the prime minister's actions, which were described by Clegg as a "bitter disappointment".

"Of course it's right that Nick Clegg is able to speak out as he has ... [but] David Cameron had a very difficult hand to play," Alexander told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday. He said the prime minister faced "real intransigence from France and Germany and a clear need to bring something back to the House of Commons to show his own supporters".

Clegg had lashed out at the decision, warning that it could lead to the UK being "isolated and marginalised within the European Union". But Alexander took a conciliatory approach, saying: "There is no threat to the coalition. The coalition was formed to deal with the enormous economic problems that we inherited as a country. That task is the central task of this government."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/dec/12/eu-veto-no-threat-coalition

Posted here by association - hope you don't mind.

[T_i_B]

4. Of course I don't mind.

It's highly relevent.

I don't think that Clegg's actions, first flip-flopping then the no-show in the commons today have exactly done his party any good. And strong support for the EU was one of the few principles the Lib Dem's had left.

[dipsydoodle]

5. EU veto: Coalition partners seek to lower tensions

Senior Conservatives and Lib Dems have sought to soothe coalition tensions over Europe after Nick Clegg missed a Commons statement by David Cameron.

The pro-European Lib Dem leader, who is also deputy prime minister, chose not to attend the Conservative prime minister's EU summit statement.

But senior Lib Dems have insisted the coalition will remain intact.

And Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said there was "not the faintest prospect" of the UK seeking to repatriate powers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16152097

[dipsydoodle]

6. Barroso says UK demand put EU internal market at risk

The head of the European Commission has said the UK's demand for special treatment for financial services would have risked the single market.

Jose Manuel Barroso told the European Parliament the UK's stance had made compromise impossible at last week's EU summit on economic integration.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16156183