British prime minister David Cameron has been backed loudly by Conservative MPs, following yesterday’s European Council decision to appoint Jean-Claude Juncker to lead the European Commission.
Significantly, however, Eurosceptics moved quickly from congratulating him for his defiance to a demand for details about the concessions he now wants for the UK.
Leading Eurosceptic John Redwood said Juncker’s appointment confirmed what most people of his opinion had long thought: that the UK does not have “much influence or leverage”.
“David Cameron has won some credit from his own party for trying,” he said, adding that he had highlighted the refusal of other EU leaders to heed the message of the Euro elections.
Essex MP John Baron illustrated a problem that Mr Cameron faces: the Eurosceptics’ demands for detail on the reforms he wants as his price to stay in. Saying “vague promises about a better deal for Britain” no longer washed, Mr Baron said Mr Cameron must offer “greater clarity” on the UK’s demands.
Avoid too much detail
Mr Cameron has resisted listing his demands, insisting that the battle had to be fought inch by inch in talks with the rest of the EU if he won the May 2015 election. Equally, Mr Cameron has realised he must avoid too much detail, as some Tories who essentially want Britain to quit the EU cannot be assuaged.
However, the prime minister was supported by the more limited number of pro-EU Conservative MPs for his stand, with one, Laura Sandys, saying she had “groaned” when she heard of Mr Juncker’s candidature.
“It was a little bit like putting Giscard d’Estaing in charge of the new constitution. These are people of the past,” she said. Believing the EU would “get down to business as usual” now Juncker had been appointed, she accepted Mr Cameron’s opposition was “a point of principle”.
Toxic prime minister
Labour leader Ed Miliband said Mr Cameron had become “a toxic prime minister”, because he “drives allies away” even when there is some agreement between the UK and other states.
Labour shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said the Brussels result represented “an abject failure of leadership” by Mr Cameron.
The Institute of Directors said the prime minister’s stand had been “admirable and refreshing” but said “reality and pragmatism must now dictate” the UK’s attitude in negotiations.
“Britain is nowhere near as isolated as many commentators would have us believe,” said the institute, which has always had a more questioning line towards the EU than the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
The next European Commission must heed the lessons from the European Parliament elections, putting “jobs and growth” ahead of every other policy, the CBI said.
The next battle will centre on the UK’s demands for a senior commission place, particularly in light of demands from the French and others for a powerful leading group of commissioners.
Former health secretary Andrew Lansley has been tipped but there is speculation that Mr Cameron might have to put forward a stronger candidate to win a top prize.
