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| David Cameron fails in extraordinary last-minute plea to hijack Jean-Claude Juncker's EU leadership | David Cameron fails in extraordinary last-minute plea to hijack Jean-Claude Juncker's EU leadership |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron suffered a humiliating defeat today when EU leaders voted by 26-2 to appoint the veteran federalist Jean-Claude Juncker to the top job in Brussels. | |
| Despite his high-profile campaign to block Mr Juncker, Mr Cameron won round only one other country - Hungary - after his natural allies deserted him. | |
| Mr Cameron warned other EU leaders today that they would “live to regret” their decision and that it would be a “sad moment for Europe”. | |
| In a last-minute plea to his fellow EU leaders, Mr Cameron issued a stark warning that the appointment of the former Luxembourg Premier as head of the European Commission could have a big impact on British public opinion ahead of the in/out referendum he has promised in 2017. | In a last-minute plea to his fellow EU leaders, Mr Cameron issued a stark warning that the appointment of the former Luxembourg Premier as head of the European Commission could have a big impact on British public opinion ahead of the in/out referendum he has promised in 2017. |
| There is growing speculation in Conservative circles that, after Mr Juncker’s appointment is confirmed by the Brussels summit, Mr Cameron may warn that the move will make it much harder for him to persuade the British people to remain in the EU in the referendum - if the EU carries on in the same vein and rejects reform. Previously, Mr Cameron had said he intended to renegotiate the UK’s membership terms but recommend that the public vote to remain in the 28-nation club. | There is growing speculation in Conservative circles that, after Mr Juncker’s appointment is confirmed by the Brussels summit, Mr Cameron may warn that the move will make it much harder for him to persuade the British people to remain in the EU in the referendum - if the EU carries on in the same vein and rejects reform. Previously, Mr Cameron had said he intended to renegotiate the UK’s membership terms but recommend that the public vote to remain in the 28-nation club. |
| Despite the Prime Minister’s plea, there was no sign the other leaders would back down and ditch the veteran federalist Mr Juncker. | Despite the Prime Minister’s plea, there was no sign the other leaders would back down and ditch the veteran federalist Mr Juncker. |
| Over a working lunch of fresh tomato gazpacho, turbot and chocolate and apricot millefeuille, Mr Cameron argued that his “reform, renegotiate, referendum” strategy was working – until Mr Juncker was nominated for the Brussels job. He pointed out that, since he promised a referendum last year, support for an “in” vote had increased – from a 20-point lead for the “out” camp to an eight-point advantage for the “in” lobby. But he said public support for the EU remained “wafer-thin” and insisted the choice of Mr Juncker would be “wrong for Britain and wrong for Europe”. | Over a working lunch of fresh tomato gazpacho, turbot and chocolate and apricot millefeuille, Mr Cameron argued that his “reform, renegotiate, referendum” strategy was working – until Mr Juncker was nominated for the Brussels job. He pointed out that, since he promised a referendum last year, support for an “in” vote had increased – from a 20-point lead for the “out” camp to an eight-point advantage for the “in” lobby. But he said public support for the EU remained “wafer-thin” and insisted the choice of Mr Juncker would be “wrong for Britain and wrong for Europe”. |
| A 10-minute eve-of-summit meeting with Germany’s Angela Merkel today failed to persuade Mr Cameron to compromise. British officials said he was not interested in “backroom deals”. | A 10-minute eve-of-summit meeting with Germany’s Angela Merkel today failed to persuade Mr Cameron to compromise. British officials said he was not interested in “backroom deals”. |
| Although he faces a humiliating defeat when Mr Juncker’s nomination is put to a vote, Mr Cameron believes his stand has shown other EU leaders that he will negotiate hard for a new deal before 2017. | Although he faces a humiliating defeat when Mr Juncker’s nomination is put to a vote, Mr Cameron believes his stand has shown other EU leaders that he will negotiate hard for a new deal before 2017. |
| But other leaders are unimpressed with his strategy. Alexander Stubb, the Finnish Prime Minister, said British voters should "wake up and smell the coffee" about the benefits of EU membership, rather than threaten to quit the 28-nation bloc. | But other leaders are unimpressed with his strategy. Alexander Stubb, the Finnish Prime Minister, said British voters should "wake up and smell the coffee" about the benefits of EU membership, rather than threaten to quit the 28-nation bloc. |
| Asked if the appointment of Mr Juncker could make "Brexit" more likely, Mr Stubb said: "The EU is a very good thing for the UK. Over 50 per cent of the trade of the UK goes to the EU. If that were to be cut off, I think the continent would be cut off, seriously.” | Asked if the appointment of Mr Juncker could make "Brexit" more likely, Mr Stubb said: "The EU is a very good thing for the UK. Over 50 per cent of the trade of the UK goes to the EU. If that were to be cut off, I think the continent would be cut off, seriously.” |
| Mr Cameron is under mounting pressure from Eurosceptic Tory MPs to toughen his approach, by saying he is ready, if necessary, to recommend an “out” vote in 2017. | Mr Cameron is under mounting pressure from Eurosceptic Tory MPs to toughen his approach, by saying he is ready, if necessary, to recommend an “out” vote in 2017. |
| John Redwood, the former Cabinet minister, said today: “This episode has reminded all in the UK that the EU is not ‘coming our way’. The battle over Mr Juncker was but the first skirmish in a long negotiation of a new relationship for the UK with the rest of the EU. If the rest of the EU continue to be so unsympathetic to UK requirements, more UK voters will draw their own conclusions about the desirability of our continued membership.” | John Redwood, the former Cabinet minister, said today: “This episode has reminded all in the UK that the EU is not ‘coming our way’. The battle over Mr Juncker was but the first skirmish in a long negotiation of a new relationship for the UK with the rest of the EU. If the rest of the EU continue to be so unsympathetic to UK requirements, more UK voters will draw their own conclusions about the desirability of our continued membership.” |
| Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said: “If Mr Juncker is appointed today, it represents - after weeks of spin and bluster from the Prime Minister - total failure to deliver and an utter humiliation.” | Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said: “If Mr Juncker is appointed today, it represents - after weeks of spin and bluster from the Prime Minister - total failure to deliver and an utter humiliation.” |