This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/feb/20/eu-deal-cameron-brussels-plan-cabinet-gove-brexit-live
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| EU deal: Cameron takes Brussels plan to cabinet as Gove leans towards Brexit – live | EU deal: Cameron takes Brussels plan to cabinet as Gove leans towards Brexit – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 8.54am GMT | |
| 08:54 | |
| George Osborne: Cameron has achieved a "great deal" | |
| The Chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, has been trumpeting the package which David Cameron has brought back from Brussels. | |
| Speaking in the last 20 minutes on BBC Radio 4, Osborne came under intense pressure to justify how the deal is as radical as David Cameron had been hoping for. Osborne said: | |
| It’s a change to the fundamental treaties which undermine the European Union which says that Britain is no longer part of ever closer European Union. | |
| For as long as I can remember, Britain has been a reluctant partner [in the EU and its predecessors] partly because we have been committed to this ever close union and we have always been uncomfortable with that | |
| Successive prime ministers have always kept us out of things like the Euro… But what David Cameron has achieved and what no Prime Minister has achieved , is that Britain is no longer committed to that ever closer integration, a European super state [John Humphrys splutters] | |
| We are not part of it now and I think that is a fundamentally more comfortable position that the UK is in this morning. | |
| This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now. You can follow me on Twitter at @BenQuinn75 | |
| 8.26am GMT | |
| 08:26 | |
| Reaction is continuing from political figures across Europe. Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said the renegotiation was purely designed to deal with Conservative dissent, but welcomed elements of the deal and said Labour stood solidly behind continued EU membership. | |
| Mr Cameron “has done what he decided he had to do because he was too weak to stand up to his political party”, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today - saying the “red card” and protections for non-euro countries had been Labour demands. | |
| He said only a very small number of Opposition MPs would campaign for “Leave”. He added: “The vast majority of Labour MPs, the Labour movement, the Labour Party conference, the trade union movement, supports our continued membership. | |
| “Why? Because being in the EU has given us jobs, investment, growth. It gives us security and it gives us influence in the world. Why would we want to exchange all of that for a leap into the unknown?” | |
| Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon has pledged that her Government will be at the forefront of making the argument for keeping Scotland in the European Union. | |
| The First Minister said it is more important than ever that those who support Scotland’s membership speak out, following David Cameron’s reform deal struck after marathon talks in Brussels. | |
| Ms Sturgeon said: “The conclusion of an agreement at the European Council means the focus can now shift to the bigger and much more important matter of why our continued European Union membership is overwhelmingly in Scotland and the UK’s best interests. | |
| “For more than 40 years, individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland have experienced the many social, economic and cultural benefits of EU membership.” | |
| 8.17am GMT | 8.17am GMT |
| 08:17 | 08:17 |
| A round-up of views from the media today shows, as you might well have anticipated, that opinion is very much divided on the scale/nature/existence of Cameron’s achievement in Brussels. | A round-up of views from the media today shows, as you might well have anticipated, that opinion is very much divided on the scale/nature/existence of Cameron’s achievement in Brussels. |
| The Guardian | The Guardian |
| The don’t-knows are likely to care a lot about the outcome that was confirmed on Friday and are right to do so. Their verdict will move votes one way or another. The fact that Mr Cameron, one of the few politicians with positive ratings, is recommending it may weigh with them too … | The don’t-knows are likely to care a lot about the outcome that was confirmed on Friday and are right to do so. Their verdict will move votes one way or another. The fact that Mr Cameron, one of the few politicians with positive ratings, is recommending it may weigh with them too … |
| Mr Cameron did not need to take the route he has taken on Europe in the first place. The whole renegotiation was a gambling of Britain’s place in Europe in the case of Tory party management. | Mr Cameron did not need to take the route he has taken on Europe in the first place. The whole renegotiation was a gambling of Britain’s place in Europe in the case of Tory party management. |
| But, having embarked on it, he has delivered a package that those who have not made up their minds should take very seriously indeed. | But, having embarked on it, he has delivered a package that those who have not made up their minds should take very seriously indeed. |
| Related: The Guardian view on the EU summit: last tangle in Brussels | Editorial | Related: The Guardian view on the EU summit: last tangle in Brussels | Editorial |
| The Times | The Times |
| [David Cameron] wants, he says, a “live-and-let-live” Europe. This at least captures the essence of a Europe in which Britain could be socially comfortable and an engine of prosperity without chafing under unsolicited red tape and undemocratic laws. | [David Cameron] wants, he says, a “live-and-let-live” Europe. This at least captures the essence of a Europe in which Britain could be socially comfortable and an engine of prosperity without chafing under unsolicited red tape and undemocratic laws. |
| A live-and-let-live Europe is what Mr Cameron promised along with a referendum. His problem, and Britain’s, is that he has not delivered it. | A live-and-let-live Europe is what Mr Cameron promised along with a referendum. His problem, and Britain’s, is that he has not delivered it. |
| He has hitched himself instead to a Europe whose eastern members remain determined to keep access to the British labour market on favourable terms, and in which France resents the dominance of the City and wants to cut it down to size. | He has hitched himself instead to a Europe whose eastern members remain determined to keep access to the British labour market on favourable terms, and in which France resents the dominance of the City and wants to cut it down to size. |
| Read it in full here. | Read it in full here. |
| The Telegraph | The Telegraph |
| The EU is arcane and sclerotic – and the events of the past few days have proved it. It cannot adapt to suit changing circumstances or to meet the demands of political crises. Now the British voters have their chance to pass a verdict not only on this deal but the entire European project. | The EU is arcane and sclerotic – and the events of the past few days have proved it. It cannot adapt to suit changing circumstances or to meet the demands of political crises. Now the British voters have their chance to pass a verdict not only on this deal but the entire European project. |
| Hopefully the pro-EU and Brexit activists will rise to the occasion, offering a campaign rooted in facts and reason rather than fear mongering. Britain has an opportunity, finally, to take its destiny into its own hands. | Hopefully the pro-EU and Brexit activists will rise to the occasion, offering a campaign rooted in facts and reason rather than fear mongering. Britain has an opportunity, finally, to take its destiny into its own hands. |
| Whatever people might think of the strengths and weaknesses of this deal, Mr Cameron deserves credit for giving us that much. | Whatever people might think of the strengths and weaknesses of this deal, Mr Cameron deserves credit for giving us that much. |
| Read it in full here. | Read it in full here. |
| The Daily Mail | The Daily Mail |
| One thing is clear. Nothing agreed in Brussels will tempt a single voter to cross from the Out to the In camp (though it may swing some people the other way). | One thing is clear. Nothing agreed in Brussels will tempt a single voter to cross from the Out to the In camp (though it may swing some people the other way). |
| Nor will these renegotiations begin to serve the cynical purpose for which Mr Cameron embarked on them. For far from healing the Tory Party’s age-old rift over Europe, it promises only to increase the bitterness. | Nor will these renegotiations begin to serve the cynical purpose for which Mr Cameron embarked on them. For far from healing the Tory Party’s age-old rift over Europe, it promises only to increase the bitterness. |
| Indeed, the prime minister comes out of this sorry saga badly wounded, just eight months after his surprise election triumph made him look all but invincible on the domestic political battleground. | Indeed, the prime minister comes out of this sorry saga badly wounded, just eight months after his surprise election triumph made him look all but invincible on the domestic political battleground. |
| But it is not too late for him to redeem himself. He should tell voters, humbly and frankly, that he has tried hard but failed to secure a deal worth having. | But it is not too late for him to redeem himself. He should tell voters, humbly and frankly, that he has tried hard but failed to secure a deal worth having. |
| Read it in full here. | Read it in full here. |
| 8.02am GMT | 8.02am GMT |
| 08:02 | 08:02 |
| Latest summary | Latest summary |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| If you’re just joining the blog, welcome (were you up all night reading EU documents, or something?). Here’s where we’re up to so far on Saturday, as we await David Cameron’s weekend cabinet meeting. | If you’re just joining the blog, welcome (were you up all night reading EU documents, or something?). Here’s where we’re up to so far on Saturday, as we await David Cameron’s weekend cabinet meeting. |
| What we know | What we know |
| David Cameron has claimed victory and pledged to campaign with “all my heart and soul” to keep Britain inside the EU after a deal was struck on Friday evening to redraw the terms of the UK’s membership. | David Cameron has claimed victory and pledged to campaign with “all my heart and soul” to keep Britain inside the EU after a deal was struck on Friday evening to redraw the terms of the UK’s membership. |
| Leaders of the other 27 member nations agreed to a deal that will see: | Leaders of the other 27 member nations agreed to a deal that will see: |
| What we don’t yet know | What we don’t yet know |
| Michael is one of my oldest and closest friends but he has wanted to get Britain to pull out of the EU for about 30 years. | Michael is one of my oldest and closest friends but he has wanted to get Britain to pull out of the EU for about 30 years. |
| So of course I am disappointed that we are not going to be on the same side as we have this vital argument about our country’s future. | So of course I am disappointed that we are not going to be on the same side as we have this vital argument about our country’s future. |
| I am disappointed but I am not surprised. | I am disappointed but I am not surprised. |
| What happens next | What happens next |
| Cameron has summoned his cabinet to a meeting on Saturday morning – reportedly the first time the cabinet has met on a Saturday since the Falklands war. | Cameron has summoned his cabinet to a meeting on Saturday morning – reportedly the first time the cabinet has met on a Saturday since the Falklands war. |
| The prime minister will announce that the government endorses the deal and will campaign for the UK to stay in the EU – but this lets off the leash those members of the cabinet who oppose membership and will now be free to campaign for a no vote. | The prime minister will announce that the government endorses the deal and will campaign for the UK to stay in the EU – but this lets off the leash those members of the cabinet who oppose membership and will now be free to campaign for a no vote. |
| 7.55am GMT | 7.55am GMT |
| 07:55 | 07:55 |
| The later edition of Saturday’s Guardian front page caught the deal being sealed: | The later edition of Saturday’s Guardian front page caught the deal being sealed: |
| The Guardian front page, Saturday 20 February 2016: Cameron strikes new EU deal pic.twitter.com/3WWIN9gd7t | The Guardian front page, Saturday 20 February 2016: Cameron strikes new EU deal pic.twitter.com/3WWIN9gd7t |
| 7.44am GMT | 7.44am GMT |
| 07:44 | 07:44 |
| As a counterpoint to those EU leaders applauding the deal, those favouring Brexit said it was not enough to sway them. | As a counterpoint to those EU leaders applauding the deal, those favouring Brexit said it was not enough to sway them. |
| Ukip leader Nigel Farage wasn’t won over: | Ukip leader Nigel Farage wasn’t won over: |
| This is a truly pathetic deal. Let's Leave the EU, control our borders, run our own country and stop handing £55m every day to Brussels. | This is a truly pathetic deal. Let's Leave the EU, control our borders, run our own country and stop handing £55m every day to Brussels. |
| Labour MP Frank Field said he would be campaigning for a no vote in the referendum: | Labour MP Frank Field said he would be campaigning for a no vote in the referendum: |
| The PM has failed to secure the key renegotiation requirement, namely, that we should regain control of our borders https://t.co/g6a0n48fJq | The PM has failed to secure the key renegotiation requirement, namely, that we should regain control of our borders https://t.co/g6a0n48fJq |
| The vote no campaign saw the deal as further grist to its mill: | The vote no campaign saw the deal as further grist to its mill: |
| Statement on EU deal from #LeaveEU co-chair Richard Tice: “Cameron promised half a loaf, begged for a crust and brought home crumbs.” #EUCO | Statement on EU deal from #LeaveEU co-chair Richard Tice: “Cameron promised half a loaf, begged for a crust and brought home crumbs.” #EUCO |
| Eurosceptic Tory MEP Daniel Hannan suggested the last-minute agreement was an act of showmanship: | Eurosceptic Tory MEP Daniel Hannan suggested the last-minute agreement was an act of showmanship: |
| Britain banged the table and aggressively demanded the status quo. The EU, after some mandatory faux-agonising, agreed. #EUCO #VoteLeave | Britain banged the table and aggressively demanded the status quo. The EU, after some mandatory faux-agonising, agreed. #EUCO #VoteLeave |
| And Rupert Murdoch – like Cameron – seemed convinced that Michael Gove will be campaigning for Brexit: | And Rupert Murdoch – like Cameron – seemed convinced that Michael Gove will be campaigning for Brexit: |
| Congratulations Michael Gove. Friends always knew his principles would overcome his personal friendships. | Congratulations Michael Gove. Friends always knew his principles would overcome his personal friendships. |
| 7.34am GMT | 7.34am GMT |
| 07:34 | 07:34 |
| How special is the UK's 'special status'? | How special is the UK's 'special status'? |
| Jennifer Rankin | Jennifer Rankin |
| David Cameron’s tweet claiming “I have negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU” has been knocked back by others involved in the deal, Jennifer Rankin reports. | David Cameron’s tweet claiming “I have negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU” has been knocked back by others involved in the deal, Jennifer Rankin reports. |
| I have negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. I will be recommending it to Cabinet tomorrow. Press conference shortly. | I have negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. I will be recommending it to Cabinet tomorrow. Press conference shortly. |
| EU officials downplayed Cameron’s claims, pointing out that the agreement confirmed Britain’s place as the country with the largest number of opt-outs and exclusions from EU law. | EU officials downplayed Cameron’s claims, pointing out that the agreement confirmed Britain’s place as the country with the largest number of opt-outs and exclusions from EU law. |
| “Having a special status is not a reason for divorce,” said one senior official. | “Having a special status is not a reason for divorce,” said one senior official. |
| European council president Donald Tusk said: | European council president Donald Tusk said: |
| The special status of the UK is nothing new – in fact, it is the essence of our common history. | The special status of the UK is nothing new – in fact, it is the essence of our common history. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker pointed out that: | Jean-Claude Juncker pointed out that: |
| The UK has always had special and specific status. | The UK has always had special and specific status. |
| EU officials stressed that the “self-destruct clause” remains intact, meaning that if Britain votes to leave the European Union, the deal will disappear. | EU officials stressed that the “self-destruct clause” remains intact, meaning that if Britain votes to leave the European Union, the deal will disappear. |
| 7.18am GMT | 7.18am GMT |
| 07:18 | 07:18 |
| Reaction to the deal | Reaction to the deal |
| European leaders have expressed their support for the deal – some more enthusiastically than others. | European leaders have expressed their support for the deal – some more enthusiastically than others. |
| Donald Tusk | Donald Tusk |
| The president of the European Council said the deal had been unanimously agreed by all 28 leaders: | The president of the European Council said the deal had been unanimously agreed by all 28 leaders: |
| I deeply believe the UK needs Europe and Europe needs the UK. But the final decision is in the hands of the British people. | I deeply believe the UK needs Europe and Europe needs the UK. But the final decision is in the hands of the British people. |
| We didn’t walk away from the negotiating table. We were willing to sacrifice part of our interests for the common good, to show our unity. | We didn’t walk away from the negotiating table. We were willing to sacrifice part of our interests for the common good, to show our unity. |
| The #UKinEU settlement addresses all of David Cameron’s concerns without compromising our fundamental values. | The #UKinEU settlement addresses all of David Cameron’s concerns without compromising our fundamental values. |
| Angela Merkel | Angela Merkel |
| The German chancellor said the British deal was a fair compromise that introduced “a number of very interesting and valuable changes to the EU”: | The German chancellor said the British deal was a fair compromise that introduced “a number of very interesting and valuable changes to the EU”: |
| We believe that with this we have given David Cameron a package with which he can campaign in Britain for Britain to stay in the European Union… | We believe that with this we have given David Cameron a package with which he can campaign in Britain for Britain to stay in the European Union… |
| I wish David Cameron all the best in the coming weeks and months. | I wish David Cameron all the best in the coming weeks and months. |
| She said Germany would consider introducing similar restrictions on child benefit and rejected criticism that “we’ve given away too much” – although she conceded that the the issue of ever-closer union had been difficult to agree: | She said Germany would consider introducing similar restrictions on child benefit and rejected criticism that “we’ve given away too much” – although she conceded that the the issue of ever-closer union had been difficult to agree: |
| That’s an emotional issue. I am one of those who are for it. | That’s an emotional issue. I am one of those who are for it. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker | Jean-Claude Juncker |
| The president of the European Commission said the deal was fair to Britain and the other member states: | The president of the European Commission said the deal was fair to Britain and the other member states: |
| The deal does not deepen cracks in our union, but builds bridges. | The deal does not deepen cracks in our union, but builds bridges. |
| Beata Szydło | Beata Szydło |
| The prime minister of Poland, whose citizens in the UK are likely to be among those most affected by the rule changes on benefits, tweeted in cautious support of the deal: | The prime minister of Poland, whose citizens in the UK are likely to be among those most affected by the rule changes on benefits, tweeted in cautious support of the deal: |
| Today’s agreement is good news for Europe. We took care of the interests of the Polish people benefiting from social security in the member states. | Today’s agreement is good news for Europe. We took care of the interests of the Polish people benefiting from social security in the member states. |
| Enda Kenny | Enda Kenny |
| The Irish taoiseach said he supported strongly the idea that Britian should stay in the EU, but cautioned: | The Irish taoiseach said he supported strongly the idea that Britian should stay in the EU, but cautioned: |
| This is only the start of the process … The campaign begins here and it will be very challenging, given the circumstances that apply in Britain. | This is only the start of the process … The campaign begins here and it will be very challenging, given the circumstances that apply in Britain. |
| Matteo Renzi | Matteo Renzi |
| The Italian PM sounded pleased that the summit was over: | The Italian PM sounded pleased that the summit was over: |
| The fact that we can go home now is also a step forward because at a certain point even that wasn’t a given. | The fact that we can go home now is also a step forward because at a certain point even that wasn’t a given. |
| 6.57am GMT | 6.57am GMT |
| 06:57 | 06:57 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| If you’re after up-to-the-minute coverage of the aftermath of David Cameron’s EU deal – secured in a late-night coming-together in Brussels on Friday – as the prime minister takes the detail of the agreement to his fractious cabinet, then happy Saturday: you’ve come to the right place. | If you’re after up-to-the-minute coverage of the aftermath of David Cameron’s EU deal – secured in a late-night coming-together in Brussels on Friday – as the prime minister takes the detail of the agreement to his fractious cabinet, then happy Saturday: you’ve come to the right place. |
| What we know | What we know |
| David Cameron has claimed victory and pledged to campaign with “all my heart and soul” to keep Britain inside the EU after a deal was struck on Friday evening to redraw the terms of the UK’s membership. | David Cameron has claimed victory and pledged to campaign with “all my heart and soul” to keep Britain inside the EU after a deal was struck on Friday evening to redraw the terms of the UK’s membership. |
| Leaders of the other 27 member nations agreed to a deal that will see: | Leaders of the other 27 member nations agreed to a deal that will see: |
| What we don’t yet know | What we don’t yet know |
| Michael is one of my oldest and closest friends but he has wanted to get Britain to pull out of the EU for about 30 years. | Michael is one of my oldest and closest friends but he has wanted to get Britain to pull out of the EU for about 30 years. |
| So of course I am disappointed that we are not going to be on the same side as we have this vital argument about our country’s future. | So of course I am disappointed that we are not going to be on the same side as we have this vital argument about our country’s future. |
| I am disappointed but I am not surprised. | I am disappointed but I am not surprised. |
| What happens next | What happens next |
| Cameron has summoned his cabinet to a meeting on Saturday morning – reportedly the first time the cabinet has met on a Saturday since the Falklands war. | Cameron has summoned his cabinet to a meeting on Saturday morning – reportedly the first time the cabinet has met on a Saturday since the Falklands war. |
| The prime minister will announce that the government endorses the deal and will campaign for the UK to stay in the EU – but this lets off the leash those members of the cabinet who oppose membership and will now be free to campaign for a no vote. | The prime minister will announce that the government endorses the deal and will campaign for the UK to stay in the EU – but this lets off the leash those members of the cabinet who oppose membership and will now be free to campaign for a no vote. |
| Related: Innies, outies, unclears: where ministers stand on EU referendum | Related: Innies, outies, unclears: where ministers stand on EU referendum |
| Morning reading list | Morning reading list |