Financial News
- 22 January 2013, 6:35
Cameron To Make Europe Speech On Wednesday
David Cameron will make his delayed speech outlining his vision for the UK's future in Europe on Wednesday morning.
Mr Cameron cancelled the much-anticipated speech last week because of the Algeria hostage crisis. He had been due to speak in Amsterdam.
"Wednesday morning in London fits best with the Prime Minister's schedule," a No10 spokesman said.
In the speech, Mr Cameron is expected to spell out plans to renegotiate Britain's membership of the European Union and promise a referendum on any deal he can strike.
Extracts from a speech that Mr Cameron was planning to make show that the Prime Minister intended to make clear that he wants the UK to play a "committed and active" part in the EU in the future.
But he was also planning to warn that, if changes are not made to address the three key challenges of eurozone crisis, economic competitiveness and dramatically declining public support, "the danger is that Europe will fail and the British people will drift towards the exit".
Mr Cameron has won the backing of London mayor Boris Johnson, who said: "We ... want to complete the single market - which everyone supports - and we want to get rid of some of the barnacles that have become attached to the hull."
He has also earned support from former defence secretary Liam Fox - seen as a key eurosceptic - who declared himself "broadly satisfied" with extracts of the speech he had seen.
But Labour leader Ed Miliband warned that the PM was about to take Britain "to the edge of an economic cliff" by creating uncertainty for business, while Vince Cable warned him not to take a "dangerous gamble" with the national interest.
The Business Secretary said there was a risk that Mr Cameron could end up taking Britain out of the EU "by accident".
Eurosceptics in the City, as well as Tory backbenchers, including former Cabinet ministers, have called on Mr Cameron to offer Britain "a clear choice" over its membership of the European Union.
There was a rare intervention on the issue from the US, when assistant secretary for European affairs Philip Gordon made it clear that the White House wanted "a strong British voice" in the EU and said referendums risked turning countries "inward".
what do you think?
Phil A
Unless something more important comes up ------ again? It dooesn't matter what Cameron's vision of Europe is, its Europes vison of the UK that matters and I don't like it along with alot of people I know. We are not interested in you vison Mr. Cameron, we are interested in getting out of Europe.
Steve V
Totally agree. He's being patronising in the extreme. We need Nigel Farage in Downing Street.
peter brady
latest polling in the Observer / Opinium put the 'friutcakes' as being down three points. UKIP will wither and fade - just as the BNP and the NF did before them. The UK will continue to be a part of a prosperous and democratic EU.
jimmyjedi1979
Agree!
jimmyjedi1979
I agree with Phil- not that fruit cake Peter Brady. You want to have large government, more tax, more laws, less freedoms more invasions, stand with the sheep and vote red or blue (Europe) You want well though out, limited government, less tax, more freedoms, more choice, no invasions, independence, vote for ukip and Britain. For the sheep that are interested in libertarianism, although i highly doubt you will be, then please read about and search for Milton Friedman. His ideas are sublime and super human. One of my heros- he died some years ago but left a real legacy. UKIP
andrew
Only fruitcakes read the Observer and worse still, believe it!
peter brady
Cameron will make his speech - the sceptics will complain whatever he says. The UK will stay in the EU - to our benefit. The Euro will recover its status (it's value and that of Government bonds is never mentioned any more in the press because both are relatively healthy. The Euro remains the worlds second reserve currency) the EU will continue to prosper and the UK will, as the leaders of the three main parties agree, remain part of the EU.
Steve V
What benefit? We're drained of £40m per day that could better be invested in this country. When in Rome TEAR UP THE TREATY!!
jimmyjedi1979
No Steve its 51million a day. Get it right. And if we come out of the single market Mercedes and bmw will surely stop selling us cars! Be afraid, be very afraid! Don't leave the euro they say. Ha ha. We gave away our powers to unelected pen pushers in Brussels, and on they sell off their powers to international law. The constant centralization of power and decision making and less and less freedoms for the man on the street. Do not buy into the state propaganda or the sheep that regurgitate their rhetoric.
rogmar01
Well said Peter. Sadly the ukip voting idiots would sell us down the drain, we must be a leading player in Europe or be submerged like a 3rd world country.
Gordon Wright
Hello again Peter, Interesting statement but one thing is missing, Shouldn't it have ended with the words "and they all lived happily ever after"??. I thought all fairy stories ended like that.............
Michael Hawkins
Any organisation run by a committee of 27, all looking after their own interests at the expense of the whole will never work
peter brady
Broad economic benefits: Being a Member State of the European Union the United Kingdom is part of the world's largest single market ? an economic zone larger than that of the USA and Japan combined with a total GDP of around £11 trillion. This single market of 500 million people provides a level playing for British business to trade in. This enables not just free trade in terms of the absence of customs duties or tariffs but a common set of rules so that business does not have to comply with 27 different sets of regulations.
Steve V
All these things can be achieved through the furtherance of WTO and global free trade, not a fortress Europe mentality. Trading blocks represent a stumbling block to the law of comparative advantage- a first year economics student could tell you that. As for the three main parties agreeing- usually when they do so they are in error, and against the will of the majority, and only a fool could claim the Eurocracy is democratic. Anyone who disagrees with the plans from on high is made to vote again until they rubber stamp them. Farage will be prime minister within 10 years as people slowly but surely see he's the only one fighting for Britain. Comparing UKIP with BNP and NF is quite frankly offensive. UKIP is not a racist party and has no secrarian agenda.
peter brady
Farage prime minister ? ha, ha, ha, ha, ha The three main party leaders support the UK's membership of the EU. The majority of voters support the three main parties. The UK will remain in the EU - that is an absolute and UKIP, like the BNP and the NF before them will wither and disappear. That is 100 per cent certain.
jimmyjedi1979
Yes Peter all the main parties support being in Europe, yet 2-1 of the population want out. This just demonstrates their inability to do their jobs and just stay in line with the new world order agenda. Give the people a referendum, oh wait they won't as they know what the result will be. That's not democracy. And during the next decade of misery in the Europe people will be begging or farge. A man who worked for a living and understand business not some privately educated toff that has a business degree. Cameron, milliband? Ha ha ha. Yeah right.
peter brady
A small majority of people want a referendum when the new relationship has been negotiated. (Whenever that will be and whatever that will be) That is very different from 'wanting out'. People under 35 are in a majority of 2:1 of wanting to remain part of the EU. The young are the future of this country. The old, dribbling 'we won the war' brigade are dying out. The majority of people will vote for parties that support membership of the EU. That is fact. If they don't want to be a member of the most progressive and wealthy union in the world then they can vote UKIP, or BNP or EDL.
Gordon Wright
Peter, You cannot have a "small" majority. A majority is just what it says, it means most of the people concerned. You are quite right when you say that the leaders of all three parties support membership. As I've said to you before (on another post), that is the problem, the majority of the people do not have a voice on this subject. Poll after poll has indicated that the majority of people want a vote on this subject and to pretend otherwise is like sticking your head in the sand.....
Steve V
I call upon the Sargeant at arms to use full power and arrest the next prime minister who erodes the UK's sovereignty without consulting the electorate- whatever party's colours he or she may be dressed in. Parliament is supposed the be our servant, not our master.
jimmyjedi1979
Whatever he says are complete and utter lies. Vote UKIP
peter brady
UKIP is fading - according to the latest Opinium / Observer poll. They will be gone next year. Cameron urges Britain to be a working member of the EU. Miliband believes the same. Together they will work in the UK's interests and keep us an integral part of the EU.
andrew
Gullible people will always believe what they read in the left wing press.
peter brady
Benefits of the EU: The Single Market is one of a kind as it guarantees 'free movement' of people, goods, services and capital. At a practical level, it provides the possibility for EU citizens to live, work, study and do business throughout the EU, as well as enjoy a wide choice of competitively priced goods and services.
peter brady
'The constant centralization of power and decision making and less and less freedoms for the man on the street. OK - let's take your point. Can you inform me / us what powers have been 'centralised' and how these have impacted on our / mine / your 'freedoms' What freedoms have I lost?
jimmyjedi1979
75 of our laws are made in Brussels. You have no right or freedom to influence them. But then you obviously don't see that as an infringement on your freedom :)
jimmyjedi1979
75pc
peter brady
That is incorrect. It is nowhere near 75pc it is more like 7 per cent. So what freedoms have I lost? Give me an example.
adam
We have lost the freedom to decide who enters our country for one thing and we have lost the freedom to deport non desirables unless Europe sanctions it,we have lost the freedom to set our own fishing quotas,we have lost the freedom to set our own vehicle insurance premiums and annuities. Theres just a handful off the top of my head Peter and i am certain that given a couple of hours of research i could come up with many,many more. I am not against the EU, i want to trade with it and cooperate with it when it is in our interests to do so but i do not want to be governed by it and i do not wish ,and never will,to become a citizen of Europe.
jimmyjedi1979
Its 75pc. That's the percentage of laws that are controlled by the eu in Brussels. And you think its 7pc? A figure you just plucked out of the air. Go and do the research and stop spouting tabloid tripe.
lance
peter brady. if the eu is that good why are 16 country's on the verge of becoming bankrupt,most of our exports are outside the eu . And as for ukip they will get more votes than ever,its the fastest growing party and why is that , one simple reason is the british people will get the vote on eu,in or out. the eu needs Britain we dont need them, and if we do leave that is the end of the eu.this country is just a cash cow for the self appointed eu leaches. o and for benefits there is none.by the way i voted conservative for over 25 years. never again just a bunch of spineless snobs.ITS UKIP FOR ME.cheers
andrew
And for me!
peter brady
Lance - you are repeating myths. First of all this country is not a 'cash cow'. The UK's contribution - on many measures (GDP, GNI, Per Capita etc) is less than or the same as Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Sweden. The actual net contribution is about 4 billion per annum - a small figure when compared to actual government borrowing. The EU is the richest free market in the world. To be a member states have to pay a contribution to the 'running' of the market. Which 16 countries are on the verge of bankrupcy? And is our economy so healthy?
peter brady
Jimmy is repeating the myth that 75 percent 'of our laws are made in Brussels'. OK - let's take his point. Can you name - not all 75 percent (that would be impossible as it is simply not true) - but just a hand full of laws that are 'made in Brussels' and that have an impact on our 'freedom' Name some of these dastardly 'laws'. List the dates the committee sat in Brussels and drew up these 'laws' and when these 'laws' were implemented in the UK
David Francis
Who here believes that Cameron CAN ACTUALLY renegotiate our deal with the EU?
Viv hanshall
'75 percent of our laws are made in Brussels'. This is one of the biggest myths perpetrated by the ignorant. As Peter has asked - name some of these 'laws'. Name the date they were drawn up, where they were drawn up, how they were drawn up, by whom were they drawn up and how do they implicate on our 'freedoms'
andrew
Viv dear, why not visit some of the Scottish fishing ports where thousands of jobs have been lost, thanks to the EUSSR ruling which allows foreign vessels to fish in what were previously British fishing grounds. Oh, and another thing Viv. Dead fish which were deemed to be too small now have to be thrown back. Nice that isn't it, with half the world starving.
Glynne Powell
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/endpropaganda" rel='nofollow'>http://www.facebook.com/endpropaganda</a>
davenlesley
Get ready for more waffle, obscure promises and non committal timescales. If anything is renegotiated and I doubt this very much, he will come up with the same crap Brown did about Lisbon. Not a new treaty just tweaking an old one. Referendum not required.
Mike Anon
We have had so many broken pledges on a referendum that I'll believe it when I see it.
happymike CHESTER
This speech is not about the interests of the British people ,it is all about saving the self-destruct infighting in the Tory Party . The Tories are getting panicked by all the Noddy`s voting Ukip,They should man-up and take them on. Farage is just like all the other political opportunist `s just say what the idiots want to hear. Remember Oswald Mosley. Kilroy Silk same sort of bile.
field_pete
It keeps being trawled out that we need to stay in the EU to protect British jobs, but we keep seeing time and time again British jobs being given to foreigners, so it isn't the British people that are being protected, it's the greedy idiots at the top who benefit. I want out of the EU asap but with regards to immigration, that may be lowered from the EU but doesn't stop the influx from Asia and Africa as well as a million illegals. We need a referendum now not later,a little bit of common sense in Westminster would make a refreshing change.
peter brady
Being part of the EU permits UK residents to travel, invest and work in the other member states. And indeed they do. Other millions retire to sunnier EU countries and naturally make use of local resources and benefits. This they are entitled to do as EU citizens. This is a fantastic privilege and opportunity that would be lost if the parochial and the bigotted mindset as espoused by UKIP prevailed.
Byron Eckhardt
11:57am on 21/1/2013
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