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/politics/2014/jan/12/william-hague-tory-mps-eu-veto

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
William Hague rejects Tory MPs' demand for EU veto William Hague rejects Tory MPs' demand for EU veto
(35 minutes later)
William Hague has rejected demands from 95 Tory MPs for parliament to be given a veto over all laws from Brussels.William Hague has rejected demands from 95 Tory MPs for parliament to be given a veto over all laws from Brussels.
The British foreign secretary risked inflaming simmering Conservative tensions over Europe by branding the proposal "unrealistic" and warning it would make the single market unworkable.The British foreign secretary risked inflaming simmering Conservative tensions over Europe by branding the proposal "unrealistic" and warning it would make the single market unworkable.
The Sunday Telegraph said 95 Tory MPs had written to the prime minister demanding parliament be given the power to veto every aspect of EU law. Backbenchers led by Bernard Jenkin want the government to reverse the spread of human rights law, relieve businesses of red tape from Brussels and regain control over immigration. The Sunday Telegraph said 95 Tory MPs had written to the prime minister demanding parliament be given the power to veto every aspect of EU law. Backbenchers led by Bernard Jenkin want the government to reverse the spread of human rights law, relieve businesses of red tape from Brussels, and regain control over immigration.
Other signatories to the missive include James Clappison, Conor Burns, John Baron, Anne Main and the former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth.Other signatories to the missive include James Clappison, Conor Burns, John Baron, Anne Main and the former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth.
Speaking on Sky News's Murnaghan programme, Hague said his EU counterparts were in no doubt that the UK was seeking "more power for national parliaments, more accountability of the EU to national parliaments".Speaking on Sky News's Murnaghan programme, Hague said his EU counterparts were in no doubt that the UK was seeking "more power for national parliaments, more accountability of the EU to national parliaments".
He said Britain had already proposed a "red card" system which would allow groups of national parliaments to block unwanted measures from Brussels.He said Britain had already proposed a "red card" system which would allow groups of national parliaments to block unwanted measures from Brussels.
"On the specific [parliamentary veto] proposal … when you think about it of course if national parliaments all around the EU were regularly and unilaterally able to choose which bits of EU law they would apply and which bits they would not then the European single market would not work and even a Swiss-style free trade arrangement with the EU would not work," Hague said. "On the specific [parliamentary veto] proposal … when you think about it of course if national parliaments all around the EU were regularly and unilaterally able to choose which bits of EU law they would apply and which bits they would not then the European single market would not work and even a Swiss-style free trade arrangement with the EU would not work," Hague said. "So we have to be realistic about these things."
"So we have to be realistic about these things." In an interview with the Sunday Times, the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said EU migrants should wait for up to two years before being able to claim benefits rather than the current period of three months. He said he had been speaking to other member states such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands who were supportive of the idea.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said EU immigrants should wait for up to two years before being able to claim benefits rather than the current period of three months. He said he had been speaking to other member states such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands who were supportive of the idea. Meanwhile, Brussels has stepped up its fightback against UK attempts to curb EU immigration as leaders of the European parliament declared that rules on freedom of movement were completely non-negotiable, and made clear that attempts to change them would be blocked.
Meanwhile Brussels has stepped up its fightback against UK attempts to curb EU immigration as leaders of the European parliament declared that rules on freedom of movement were completely non-negotiable, and made clear that attempts to change them would be blocked.
The European parliament's president, Martin Schulz, said that while he took UK demands for reform of the EU "very seriously" there was no question of the parliament agreeing to reopen the rule book on free movement.The European parliament's president, Martin Schulz, said that while he took UK demands for reform of the EU "very seriously" there was no question of the parliament agreeing to reopen the rule book on free movement.
Schulz, a German Social Democrat, said he would like to see David Cameron's plans for EU reform, and wanted the UK to remain inside the EU to shape policy on everything from climate change to the single market and development policy. But he added: "Where we differ is that I would rather see the UK making its case for reform from within the EU rather than with one hand on the escape hatch.Schulz, a German Social Democrat, said he would like to see David Cameron's plans for EU reform, and wanted the UK to remain inside the EU to shape policy on everything from climate change to the single market and development policy. But he added: "Where we differ is that I would rather see the UK making its case for reform from within the EU rather than with one hand on the escape hatch.
"As to the debate on free movement, this is happening not only in the UK but across many member states. The principle of free movement of people has been one of the greatest successes the EU has, it is a fundamental principle and it's not up for negotiation any more than renegotiating the principle of the free movement of goods, services or capital.""As to the debate on free movement, this is happening not only in the UK but across many member states. The principle of free movement of people has been one of the greatest successes the EU has, it is a fundamental principle and it's not up for negotiation any more than renegotiating the principle of the free movement of goods, services or capital."
He stressed that such treaty change "needs unanimous support and ratification of all member states".He stressed that such treaty change "needs unanimous support and ratification of all member states".
It would also need to pass through the European parliament, where it would almost certainly be blocked.It would also need to pass through the European parliament, where it would almost certainly be blocked.
One of the parliament's vice-presidents, the Liberal Democrat MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, told the Observer that changing the principles of freedom of movement would never pass through the Council of Ministers nor the parliament. "In a globalising world, for the EU to revisit its own fundamental principles of open markets and open frontiers would amount to self-harm. I do not think that the European parliament now or in the future would accept such a major upheaval."One of the parliament's vice-presidents, the Liberal Democrat MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, told the Observer that changing the principles of freedom of movement would never pass through the Council of Ministers nor the parliament. "In a globalising world, for the EU to revisit its own fundamental principles of open markets and open frontiers would amount to self-harm. I do not think that the European parliament now or in the future would accept such a major upheaval."
The remarks reflect an increasing determination within the EU to respond robustly to the UK's demands for a new deal on immigration, and a growing sense that British politicians must not be allowed to hold the rest of the union to ransom over the issue by bringing up the possibility of a UK exit. While other EU leaders, including German chancellor, Angela Merkel, are keen to help Cameron devise a new deal that he can sell back home, Berlin insists she will not want to tamper with EU founding principles.The remarks reflect an increasing determination within the EU to respond robustly to the UK's demands for a new deal on immigration, and a growing sense that British politicians must not be allowed to hold the rest of the union to ransom over the issue by bringing up the possibility of a UK exit. While other EU leaders, including German chancellor, Angela Merkel, are keen to help Cameron devise a new deal that he can sell back home, Berlin insists she will not want to tamper with EU founding principles.
With Cameron wanting to reopen the debate on free movement, and the home secretary, Theresa May, floating the idea of capping the annual number of entrants to the UK at 75,000, Schulz's comments make it clear that a renegotiation on that scale may be all but impossible.With Cameron wanting to reopen the debate on free movement, and the home secretary, Theresa May, floating the idea of capping the annual number of entrants to the UK at 75,000, Schulz's comments make it clear that a renegotiation on that scale may be all but impossible.
Alarmingly for Cameron, several of those now jockeying to be the next president of the European commission later this year are among the strongest believers in holding the line against a special deal for the UK. Last week one of those in the frame to take over from José Manuel Barroso, Viviane Reding, who is a current vice-president, tore into Cameron for failing to counter a "myth" that immigration from the EU was harming the UK economy.Alarmingly for Cameron, several of those now jockeying to be the next president of the European commission later this year are among the strongest believers in holding the line against a special deal for the UK. Last week one of those in the frame to take over from José Manuel Barroso, Viviane Reding, who is a current vice-president, tore into Cameron for failing to counter a "myth" that immigration from the EU was harming the UK economy.
She urged politicians in the UK to explain calmly what the EU is about, rather than give in to populists on the right.She urged politicians in the UK to explain calmly what the EU is about, rather than give in to populists on the right.
Others in the running for the presidency include the former Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker and the former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt.Others in the running for the presidency include the former Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker and the former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt.
Cameron, under pressure from Ukip and Tory Eurosceptics, has promised that if the Tories win the next election he will hold a referendum by the end of 2017 after having renegotiated the terms of UK membership, including rules on freedom of movement. Already the government has announced tougher rules for EU citizens claiming benefits in this country.Cameron, under pressure from Ukip and Tory Eurosceptics, has promised that if the Tories win the next election he will hold a referendum by the end of 2017 after having renegotiated the terms of UK membership, including rules on freedom of movement. Already the government has announced tougher rules for EU citizens claiming benefits in this country.
Michael Ashcroft, the former deputy chairman of the Conservatives, said a Ukip victory in the Wythenshawe and Sale East byelection, for the vacant seat following the death of the Labour MP Paul Goggins, would be "a game changer". Bookies have slashed Ukip's odds from 12/1 to 4/1 as Labour remains odds-on to retain the seat having won with a majority of 7,575 in 2010.Michael Ashcroft, the former deputy chairman of the Conservatives, said a Ukip victory in the Wythenshawe and Sale East byelection, for the vacant seat following the death of the Labour MP Paul Goggins, would be "a game changer". Bookies have slashed Ukip's odds from 12/1 to 4/1 as Labour remains odds-on to retain the seat having won with a majority of 7,575 in 2010.
A poll by the thinktank British Future finds strong public support for a change in the UK's relationship with the EU. More than one in four (28%) of UK voters want to leave, while 38% wish to stay in and try to reduce EU powers. Even senior Labour figures are now talking of the need to change freedom of movement rules in terms that will cause further alarm in Brussels.A poll by the thinktank British Future finds strong public support for a change in the UK's relationship with the EU. More than one in four (28%) of UK voters want to leave, while 38% wish to stay in and try to reduce EU powers. Even senior Labour figures are now talking of the need to change freedom of movement rules in terms that will cause further alarm in Brussels.
Last week the shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, said he had been discussing with European counterparts how to limit immigration from EU countries to people with good skills and firm job offers. "The founders of the EU had in mind free movement of workers, not free movement of jobs," he said. Last week, the shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, said he had been discussing with European counterparts how to limit immigration from EU countries to people with good skills and firm job offers. "The founders of the EU had in mind free movement of workers, not free movement of jobs," he said.
Labour sources later said he had "made a mistake" but party strategists are aware that in the current anti-EU climate they have to be responsive to prevailing scepticism.Labour sources later said he had "made a mistake" but party strategists are aware that in the current anti-EU climate they have to be responsive to prevailing scepticism.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.