This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-16048131

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eurozone crisis: Cable 'optimistic' about future Eurozone crisis: Cable 'optimistic' about future
(about 2 hours later)
Business Secretary Vince Cable has said he is "pretty confident" the eurozone can resolve its immediate problems but warned the UK cannot be "marginalised" if the EU reshapes itself.Business Secretary Vince Cable has said he is "pretty confident" the eurozone can resolve its immediate problems but warned the UK cannot be "marginalised" if the EU reshapes itself.
He told the BBC's Hardtalk he was "more optimistic" than most about the eurozone's survival and prospects.He told the BBC's Hardtalk he was "more optimistic" than most about the eurozone's survival and prospects.
There was "no justification" for a referendum in the UK, he suggested.There was "no justification" for a referendum in the UK, he suggested.
No 10 has rejected calls for a referendum on any treaty change in the face of calls from Conservative MPs.No 10 has rejected calls for a referendum on any treaty change in the face of calls from Conservative MPs.
Germany and France are developing a plan for greater fiscal integration among the eurozone's 17 members ahead of a crucial meeting on Friday.Germany and France are developing a plan for greater fiscal integration among the eurozone's 17 members ahead of a crucial meeting on Friday.
Downing Street has said none of the proposed changes being discussed would trigger a referendum in the UK as they would not constitute a significant transfer of power from Westminster to Brussels.Downing Street has said none of the proposed changes being discussed would trigger a referendum in the UK as they would not constitute a significant transfer of power from Westminster to Brussels.
'Time of crisis''Time of crisis'
The measures under consideration were about how the eurozone countries organised and governed themselves, it has claimed.The measures under consideration were about how the eurozone countries organised and governed themselves, it has claimed.
But many MPs say an agreement involving just the 17 members of the eurozone would alter relations with the EU as a whole and a referendum was needed.But many MPs say an agreement involving just the 17 members of the eurozone would alter relations with the EU as a whole and a referendum was needed.
Mr Cable told the BBC's Hardtalk programme that the eurozone debt crisis was extremely serious for Europe as a whole and the UK.Mr Cable told the BBC's Hardtalk programme that the eurozone debt crisis was extremely serious for Europe as a whole and the UK.
But he said critics of the eurozone and, Germany in particular, were displaying schadenfraude and they "consistently underestimated the willingness and capacity of the European countries to get their act together at a time of crisis".But he said critics of the eurozone and, Germany in particular, were displaying schadenfraude and they "consistently underestimated the willingness and capacity of the European countries to get their act together at a time of crisis".
"I am rather more optimistic about the eurozone than a lot of people in the UK," he said."I am rather more optimistic about the eurozone than a lot of people in the UK," he said.
"The Germans appear to have accepted there is a commitment to real fiscal discipline in the rest of the eurozone... on the basis of that, I am pretty confident they will move forward to accept there needs to be much more liquidity and back-up from the European Central Bank.""The Germans appear to have accepted there is a commitment to real fiscal discipline in the rest of the eurozone... on the basis of that, I am pretty confident they will move forward to accept there needs to be much more liquidity and back-up from the European Central Bank."
Mr Cable said he was not worried if closer co-operation between eurozone members resulted in a "two-speed Europe" as long as the UK fought its corner over issues of vital national interest such as free trade and the single market.Mr Cable said he was not worried if closer co-operation between eurozone members resulted in a "two-speed Europe" as long as the UK fought its corner over issues of vital national interest such as free trade and the single market.
"It would harm Britain's interests if we were marginalised from decision making about the single market of which were are part. We have to make sure we are not.""It would harm Britain's interests if we were marginalised from decision making about the single market of which were are part. We have to make sure we are not."
Referendum issue 'Too much Europe'
The business secretary, one of the most prominent Lib Dems in the Cabinet, played down suggestions that the issue of a referendum would destabilise the coalition.The business secretary, one of the most prominent Lib Dems in the Cabinet, played down suggestions that the issue of a referendum would destabilise the coalition.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith told Sky News on Sunday that a public vote was needed in the event of a major treaty change but Mr Cable said he had not heard him say that in cabinet.Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith told Sky News on Sunday that a public vote was needed in the event of a major treaty change but Mr Cable said he had not heard him say that in cabinet.
And he added: "Under current circumstances we see now justification for having a referendum." And he added: "Under current circumstances we see no justification for having a referendum."
The prime minister says he will defend the UK's national interests should the eurozone move towards closer budgetary co-operation and seek to return powers to the UK at the right time but many Conservative MPs want him to go further.The prime minister says he will defend the UK's national interests should the eurozone move towards closer budgetary co-operation and seek to return powers to the UK at the right time but many Conservative MPs want him to go further.
Last month, more than 80 Tory MPs defied the government and called for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.Last month, more than 80 Tory MPs defied the government and called for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.
Former Tory Cabinet minister John Redwood said a referendum would strengthen David Cameron's hand in future EU talks. Conservative MP Douglas Carswell, who wants the UK to leave the EU, said EU leaders appeared as if they were trying to solve a problem created "by too much Europe by giving us even more Europe".
"What a lot of us are advising him is that this is an opportunity now to redefine Britain's relationship," he said. "The best sanction to try and get something in Britain that we want is to say that any treaty change will have to be approved by the British people." "Unfortunately for the political elite the people are not just going to go away," he told the BBC News Channel.
"The people, in whose names these deals are being made, are still here.
"We were promised by all three party leaders in the last Parliament that we would have a referendum. The politicians deliberately and carefully cultivated the impression they would give us a referendum on Europe.
"Now it does not suit them to do this they have dismissed this as something they can afford to ignore. We need a say over whether the new deal which will emerge from these negotiations is in our national interest or not."