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/news/uk-politics-28026473
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Europe - PM tries to turn defeat into victory | |
(34 minutes later) | |
The prime minister is determined to try to snatch a moral victory from the jaws of a certain negotiating defeat at the EU summit which begins today. | |
It is now almost certain that Jean-Claude Juncker, a man David Cameron has consistently opposed, will be confirmed as the next president of the European Commission on Friday. | |
Downing Street wants the story of this summit to be the splendid isolation of one man, one country, fighting for a vital democratic principle rather than the prime minister's total failure to build alliances. | |
One by one, all the people David Cameron believed were on his side have abandoned him. | One by one, all the people David Cameron believed were on his side have abandoned him. |
First, and crucially, Germany, then Sweden, then the Netherlands, now it's not even certain that the Hungarians will support him. | First, and crucially, Germany, then Sweden, then the Netherlands, now it's not even certain that the Hungarians will support him. |
Britain will either be alone or one of two. | Britain will either be alone or one of two. |
But David Cameron will try to turn his humiliation abroad into a popular stand back at home - the polls show that Thatcherite defiance is popular. | |
Here's the problem though - Eurosceptics and those who oppose our membership altogether may well say "all that effort and nothing to show for it". | |
And the real question at the end of it will be this: Will Europe's leaders say "we must help that guy next time", or will they say "he's set on a course that will lead Britain to the exit and there's not that much we can do about it"? |
Previous version
1
Next version