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Only Lib Dems and Ukip consistent on Europe, says Nick Clegg Only Lib Dems and Ukip consistent on Europe, says Nick Clegg
(35 minutes later)
Nick Clegg has suggested he has more in common with Nigel Farage than Ed Miliband when it comes to his position on Europe, even though the Liberal Democrats and Labour now have an almost identical policy on calling an EU referendum only if there is a transfer of powers to Brussels.Nick Clegg has suggested he has more in common with Nigel Farage than Ed Miliband when it comes to his position on Europe, even though the Liberal Democrats and Labour now have an almost identical policy on calling an EU referendum only if there is a transfer of powers to Brussels.
The deputy prime minister said the Lib Dems and Ukip at least have consistently held but opposing views, and accused Labour and the Conservatives of switching between different positions.The deputy prime minister said the Lib Dems and Ukip at least have consistently held but opposing views, and accused Labour and the Conservatives of switching between different positions.
He said Miliband's new stance on the EU did not make the prospect of a Lib-Lab coalition any more likely.He said Miliband's new stance on the EU did not make the prospect of a Lib-Lab coalition any more likely.
Miliband's decision to make clear a referendum is unlikely to happen under Labour in the next parliament undermines Clegg's argument that the Lib Dems are the only pro-European party.Miliband's decision to make clear a referendum is unlikely to happen under Labour in the next parliament undermines Clegg's argument that the Lib Dems are the only pro-European party.
Clegg, who faces the prospect of losing many MEPs in the European elections in May, had sought to pitch it as a Lib Dem vote for in and a Ukip vote for out.Clegg, who faces the prospect of losing many MEPs in the European elections in May, had sought to pitch it as a Lib Dem vote for in and a Ukip vote for out.
Clegg told the radio station LBC 97.3: "The one thing you could say about the Lib Dems and Ukip - which is one of the reasons why I'm looking forward to debating Nigel Farage - we might trenchantly disagree with each other, but actually I think we both acknowledge that at least we are - unlike the Conservatives and Labour party – consistent over a long period of time. Clegg told the radio station LBC 97.3: "The one thing you could say about the Lib Dems and Ukip - which is one of the reasons why I'm looking forward to debating Nigel Farage - we might trenchantly disagree with each other, but actually I think we both acknowledge that at least we are – unlike the Conservatives and Labour party – consistent over a long period of time.
"Labour have different positions and have now said that they also believe something we've been saying for years, which is that you have the referendum when there's a question to be answered. But what I find so striking about this - given that it is an important debate – is actually that the two parties that have remained steadfast in their view even though they're completely opposed to each other – Ukip and the Liberal Democrats. That's why I think it is a good thing there's this big in-out debate now between the two parties." "Labour have different positions and have now said that they also believe something we've been saying for years, which is that you have the referendum when there's a question to be answered. But what I find so striking about this – given that it is an important debate – is actually that the two parties that have remained steadfast in their view even though they're completely opposed to each other – Ukip and the Liberal Democrats. That's why I think it is a good thing there's this big in-out debate now between the two parties."