CMD talks tough on Europe
Discussion
http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16110289
Sky said:
David Cameron has attacked "pointless" EU rules and regulations which were stifling growth as it battled with the eurozone crisis.
The Prime Minister called for "fundamental reform" in Europe as he slammed "out of touch" EU institutions demanding budget increases at a time of austerity for their citizens.
He dismissed talk of "grand plans and utopian visions" and called for a looser EU with "the flexibility of a network, not the rigidity of a bloc".
His comments were in contrast to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel who earlier said dealing with the problems of the eurozone did not mean "less Europe, but more".
In his annual setpiece foreign policy speech to the Lord Mayor of London's banquet, the PM acknowledged the immediate priority for the EU was restoring growth and tackling the debt crisis.
Mr Cameron - who described himself as among the "sceptics" on Europe - said: "Unless we get a grip on growth the European Union will remain an organisation in peril representing a continent in trouble."
However, he said the current crisis also offered an opportunity to undertake fundamental reform and address long-standing problems afflicting the EU.
While he stressed that leaving the EU was not in Britain's national interest, he strongly defended those arguing that they should be "doing less" at a European level.
"For too long, the European Union has tried to make reality fit its institutions. But you can only succeed in the long run if the institutions fit the reality," he said.
"For years people who have suggested doing less at European level have been accused of not being committed to a successful European Union.
"But we sceptics have a vital point. We should look sceptically at grand plans and utopian visions. We've a right to ask what the European Union should and shouldn't do - and change it accordingly."
In contrast, Mrs Merkel told her Christian Democratic Union party conference in Leipzig that the EU's treaties would have to be overhauled to create a tighter political union.
She described the euro as "the symbol of Europe's unification" as the continent faced its "most difficult hours since the Second World War".
"We must develop the European Union's structure further," she said. "That does not mean less Europe, but more. That means creating a Europe that ensures that the euro has a future."
The Prime Minister called for "fundamental reform" in Europe as he slammed "out of touch" EU institutions demanding budget increases at a time of austerity for their citizens.
He dismissed talk of "grand plans and utopian visions" and called for a looser EU with "the flexibility of a network, not the rigidity of a bloc".
His comments were in contrast to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel who earlier said dealing with the problems of the eurozone did not mean "less Europe, but more".
In his annual setpiece foreign policy speech to the Lord Mayor of London's banquet, the PM acknowledged the immediate priority for the EU was restoring growth and tackling the debt crisis.
Mr Cameron - who described himself as among the "sceptics" on Europe - said: "Unless we get a grip on growth the European Union will remain an organisation in peril representing a continent in trouble."
However, he said the current crisis also offered an opportunity to undertake fundamental reform and address long-standing problems afflicting the EU.
While he stressed that leaving the EU was not in Britain's national interest, he strongly defended those arguing that they should be "doing less" at a European level.
"For too long, the European Union has tried to make reality fit its institutions. But you can only succeed in the long run if the institutions fit the reality," he said.
"For years people who have suggested doing less at European level have been accused of not being committed to a successful European Union.
"But we sceptics have a vital point. We should look sceptically at grand plans and utopian visions. We've a right to ask what the European Union should and shouldn't do - and change it accordingly."
In contrast, Mrs Merkel told her Christian Democratic Union party conference in Leipzig that the EU's treaties would have to be overhauled to create a tighter political union.
She described the euro as "the symbol of Europe's unification" as the continent faced its "most difficult hours since the Second World War".
"We must develop the European Union's structure further," she said. "That does not mean less Europe, but more. That means creating a Europe that ensures that the euro has a future."
...and David? What are you going to DO about it? We should have just got on with it - referendum, default position out unless we get an EU relationship we're happy with. If we don't get it, we're off and will do business like any other independent country.
PMs have talked for years about repatriation of powers from Brussels to fill the gap between what people want, and the status quo (a slide into further EU bureaucracy) that the suits the government of the day.
I hear that no single power has ever been repatriated, I wouldn't be surprised if this were the case.
PMs have talked for years about repatriation of powers from Brussels to fill the gap between what people want, and the status quo (a slide into further EU bureaucracy) that the suits the government of the day.
I hear that no single power has ever been repatriated, I wouldn't be surprised if this were the case.
I refer you to my earlier posting on the PIIGS thread: expect mainstream UK politicians to espouse an increasingly euro-sceptic line as the Eurozone mess drags on - Milliband will be at it tomorrow, although I think Clegg might just burst into tears at the despatch box by way of an apology - and eat UKIP's lunch in the process.
Expect also a violent phase change from liquid to super-heated plasma of the wee of our UKIP contingent when this happens.
Pesty said:
He will do f
k all. Just sound bites to get some fans back.
On the one hand, the battleground of politics is the middle ground,k all. Just sound bites to get some fans back.on the other hand, he does appear to be the Tories' version of Tony Blair.
Skilled with the verbals, but less skilled at the deliverables.
I've long since given up listening to what he's got to say
for himself, and prefer to mark him on what he actually delivers.
Mind you, with half his party a bunch of rabid anti-EU folks,
he's got his work cut out keeping control and still appealing
to the middle ground of middle England, where most of the votes are.
eharding said:
I refer you to my earlier posting on the PIIGS thread: expect mainstream UK politicians to espouse an increasingly euro-sceptic line as the Eurozone mess drags on - Milliband will be at it tomorrow, although I think Clegg might just burst into tears at the despatch box by way of an apology - and eat UKIP's lunch in the process.
Expect also a violent phase change from liquid to super-heated plasma of the wee of our UKIP contingent when this happens.
Actually some bloke called Douglas Alexander has been talking about repatriation of powers today...Expect also a violent phase change from liquid to super-heated plasma of the wee of our UKIP contingent when this happens.
Puggit said:
http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16110289
Pure BS. In dentistry the Cons have just approved putting in so much redtape and box ticking that theres hardly anytime to treat the patients. Other EU countries don't have these rules, just the UK. More BS from idiot Dave.Sky said:
David Cameron has attacked "pointless" EU rules and regulations which were stifling growth as it battled with the eurozone crisis.
The Prime Minister called for "fundamental reform" in Europe as he slammed "out of touch" EU institutions demanding budget increases at a time of austerity for their citizens.
He dismissed talk of "grand plans and utopian visions" and called for a looser EU with "the flexibility of a network, not the rigidity of a bloc".
His comments were in contrast to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel who earlier said dealing with the problems of the eurozone did not mean "less Europe, but more".
In his annual setpiece foreign policy speech to the Lord Mayor of London's banquet, the PM acknowledged the immediate priority for the EU was restoring growth and tackling the debt crisis.
Mr Cameron - who described himself as among the "sceptics" on Europe - said: "Unless we get a grip on growth the European Union will remain an organisation in peril representing a continent in trouble."
However, he said the current crisis also offered an opportunity to undertake fundamental reform and address long-standing problems afflicting the EU.
While he stressed that leaving the EU was not in Britain's national interest, he strongly defended those arguing that they should be "doing less" at a European level.
"For too long, the European Union has tried to make reality fit its institutions. But you can only succeed in the long run if the institutions fit the reality," he said.
"For years people who have suggested doing less at European level have been accused of not being committed to a successful European Union.
"But we sceptics have a vital point. We should look sceptically at grand plans and utopian visions. We've a right to ask what the European Union should and shouldn't do - and change it accordingly."
In contrast, Mrs Merkel told her Christian Democratic Union party conference in Leipzig that the EU's treaties would have to be overhauled to create a tighter political union.
She described the euro as "the symbol of Europe's unification" as the continent faced its "most difficult hours since the Second World War".
"We must develop the European Union's structure further," she said. "That does not mean less Europe, but more. That means creating a Europe that ensures that the euro has a future."
The Prime Minister called for "fundamental reform" in Europe as he slammed "out of touch" EU institutions demanding budget increases at a time of austerity for their citizens.
He dismissed talk of "grand plans and utopian visions" and called for a looser EU with "the flexibility of a network, not the rigidity of a bloc".
His comments were in contrast to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel who earlier said dealing with the problems of the eurozone did not mean "less Europe, but more".
In his annual setpiece foreign policy speech to the Lord Mayor of London's banquet, the PM acknowledged the immediate priority for the EU was restoring growth and tackling the debt crisis.
Mr Cameron - who described himself as among the "sceptics" on Europe - said: "Unless we get a grip on growth the European Union will remain an organisation in peril representing a continent in trouble."
However, he said the current crisis also offered an opportunity to undertake fundamental reform and address long-standing problems afflicting the EU.
While he stressed that leaving the EU was not in Britain's national interest, he strongly defended those arguing that they should be "doing less" at a European level.
"For too long, the European Union has tried to make reality fit its institutions. But you can only succeed in the long run if the institutions fit the reality," he said.
"For years people who have suggested doing less at European level have been accused of not being committed to a successful European Union.
"But we sceptics have a vital point. We should look sceptically at grand plans and utopian visions. We've a right to ask what the European Union should and shouldn't do - and change it accordingly."
In contrast, Mrs Merkel told her Christian Democratic Union party conference in Leipzig that the EU's treaties would have to be overhauled to create a tighter political union.
She described the euro as "the symbol of Europe's unification" as the continent faced its "most difficult hours since the Second World War".
"We must develop the European Union's structure further," she said. "That does not mean less Europe, but more. That means creating a Europe that ensures that the euro has a future."
I just watched Cameron on the news.
Dear me, it was depressing.
A long time ago, the Labour Party had Michael Foot as their leader. He was a bloody embarrassement... but he probably believed in what he said. He may have been an idiot, but he kept his honour intact. The voters rejected him.
Kinnock was a real leftie, but he made a small effort to appeal to Middle England. He sacrificed some of his integrity for votes. The voters rejected him.
Tony Blair had no beliefs at all. He just wanted to be Prime Minister. He told the public what he thought that they wanted to hear.
Dave Cameron has learned from Blair. He made an important speech this evening - during which he said nothing of substance at all.
Take this, for example:-
te! Read it. What does it mean?
Don
--
Dear me, it was depressing.
A long time ago, the Labour Party had Michael Foot as their leader. He was a bloody embarrassement... but he probably believed in what he said. He may have been an idiot, but he kept his honour intact. The voters rejected him.
Kinnock was a real leftie, but he made a small effort to appeal to Middle England. He sacrificed some of his integrity for votes. The voters rejected him.
Tony Blair had no beliefs at all. He just wanted to be Prime Minister. He told the public what he thought that they wanted to hear.
Dave Cameron has learned from Blair. He made an important speech this evening - during which he said nothing of substance at all.
Take this, for example:-
Dave Cameron said:
"We have a right to ask what the European Union should and should not do and change it accordingly".
What utter, vacuuous, ste! Read it. What does it mean?Don
--
foreverdriving said:
David Cameron said:
Blah blah blah blah
Well, let's have a referendum then Dave.He won't talk of a referendum because he and everyone else knows it'll come back as "get out" which just gives him a big headache to deal with.
If he does do what he says then fair enough, but its doubtful...
sjn2004 said:
Pure BS. In dentistry the Cons have just approved putting in so much redtape and box ticking that theres hardly anytime to treat the patients. Other EU countries don't have these rules, just the UK. More BS from idiot Dave.
This is the point which Eurosceptics always choose not to discuss. If all this extra bureaucracy and stuff is all the fault of the EU, how come we're pretty much the only EU country that actually has it, and why does anyone think we'd have any less of it if we weren't in the EU?Kermit power said:
sjn2004 said:
Pure BS. In dentistry the Cons have just approved putting in so much redtape and box ticking that theres hardly anytime to treat the patients. Other EU countries don't have these rules, just the UK. More BS from idiot Dave.
This is the point which Eurosceptics always choose not to discuss. If all this extra bureaucracy and stuff is all the fault of the EU, how come we're pretty much the only EU country that actually has it, and why does anyone think we'd have any less of it if we weren't in the EU?Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff