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Pascal Lamy urges PM to make positive case for EU | Pascal Lamy urges PM to make positive case for EU |
(about 3 hours later) | |
David Cameron is being urged to make a positive case for Europe if he wants to successfully renegotiate the UK's terms of membership with fellow EU leaders. | David Cameron is being urged to make a positive case for Europe if he wants to successfully renegotiate the UK's terms of membership with fellow EU leaders. |
Pascal Lamy, one of Europe's most senior politicians, told the BBC other leaders wanted to help Mr Cameron win a referendum but he had to help himself. | |
The PM has pledged to renegotiate a "better deal" for the UK and hold an "in/out" referendum by the end of 2017. | |
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has dropped its opposition to an in/out referendum. | |
Acting leader Harriet Harman said her party had "reflected on the conversations we had on doorsteps" during the election campaign and changed its position. | |
Mr Lamy was director general of the World Trade Organization for 13 years. | Mr Lamy was director general of the World Trade Organization for 13 years. |
In an interview to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend later, Mr Lamy - who now heads up the think tank Notre Europe - said he did not agree with the view "that the Brits have always been a pain in the ass so they can leave and it would be fine". | In an interview to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend later, Mr Lamy - who now heads up the think tank Notre Europe - said he did not agree with the view "that the Brits have always been a pain in the ass so they can leave and it would be fine". |
He said the prime minister started with some credit because of his election victory. | He said the prime minister started with some credit because of his election victory. |
"[David Cameron] won an election in a reasonably brilliant way as a politician, as a professional of politics he did a good job and these guys are in the same job and they recognise that", he said. | "[David Cameron] won an election in a reasonably brilliant way as a politician, as a professional of politics he did a good job and these guys are in the same job and they recognise that", he said. |
"There are issues of substance, but the psychology of that matters very much." | "There are issues of substance, but the psychology of that matters very much." |
He warned there would be some red lines, such as free movement of people but there was a "margin of manoeuvre" over this and exempting the UK from "ever closer union". | He warned there would be some red lines, such as free movement of people but there was a "margin of manoeuvre" over this and exempting the UK from "ever closer union". |
He suggested Mr Cameron's tone would be important. | He suggested Mr Cameron's tone would be important. |
"Most European leaders, including myself, feel David Cameron needs to be able to make a good case for Europe in the referendum. | "Most European leaders, including myself, feel David Cameron needs to be able to make a good case for Europe in the referendum. |
"They need to help them but he himself must make a pro-EU case in the UK, which frankly hasn't been done for the last 15 years. | "They need to help them but he himself must make a pro-EU case in the UK, which frankly hasn't been done for the last 15 years. |
"There has to be some change to the UK narrative, which will probably be the price for a compromise." | "There has to be some change to the UK narrative, which will probably be the price for a compromise." |
'Two miracles' | 'Two miracles' |
Mr Lamy said if Britain left, it would be bad news for the EU. | Mr Lamy said if Britain left, it would be bad news for the EU. |
He said in his previous jobs, he found world leaders, like the presidents of China and Brazil, felt the EU was founded on two miracles - peace between France and Germany, and British membership. | He said in his previous jobs, he found world leaders, like the presidents of China and Brazil, felt the EU was founded on two miracles - peace between France and Germany, and British membership. |
"Half of the miracle would evaporate if the Brits were to leave the European Union," he added. | "Half of the miracle would evaporate if the Brits were to leave the European Union," he added. |
On Friday, the prime minister admitted he has not found himself surrounded by a "wall of love", as he put it - but he will find Europe's leaders are willing to help him construct a ladder to hop over the high fence he has built for himself. | On Friday, the prime minister admitted he has not found himself surrounded by a "wall of love", as he put it - but he will find Europe's leaders are willing to help him construct a ladder to hop over the high fence he has built for himself. |
Labour's Harriet Harman has also said her party would now support David Cameron's planned referendum bill, clearing a path for a ballot by the end of 2017. | Labour's Harriet Harman has also said her party would now support David Cameron's planned referendum bill, clearing a path for a ballot by the end of 2017. |
Writing in the Sunday Times, Ms Harman said: "We have now had a general election and reflected on the conversations we had on doorsteps throughout the country. The British people want to have a say on the UK's membership of the European Union. | Writing in the Sunday Times, Ms Harman said: "We have now had a general election and reflected on the conversations we had on doorsteps throughout the country. The British people want to have a say on the UK's membership of the European Union. |
"Labour will therefore now support the EU referendum bill when it comes before the House of Commons." | "Labour will therefore now support the EU referendum bill when it comes before the House of Commons." |
But she added that although her party was no longer opposing a referendum, Labour would still be campaigning for the UK to remain part of the union. | But she added that although her party was no longer opposing a referendum, Labour would still be campaigning for the UK to remain part of the union. |
As a high profile, fervent believer in European integration Mr Pascal's words are important - and suggest the European establishment want to give Mr Cameron a deal that will help him win a referendum. | As a high profile, fervent believer in European integration Mr Pascal's words are important - and suggest the European establishment want to give Mr Cameron a deal that will help him win a referendum. |
If Mr Cameron failed it would inflict a grave, potentially fatal, wound on a project already under assault from numerous directions. | If Mr Cameron failed it would inflict a grave, potentially fatal, wound on a project already under assault from numerous directions. |
They will have their own red lines of course, but Mr Cameron's biggest problem may well come at home. | They will have their own red lines of course, but Mr Cameron's biggest problem may well come at home. |
He faces Goldilocks' porridge problem - what is suitable to sup for European leaders may prove too tepid for backbenchers. What is the right temperature for them, is likely to burn lips on the continent. | He faces Goldilocks' porridge problem - what is suitable to sup for European leaders may prove too tepid for backbenchers. What is the right temperature for them, is likely to burn lips on the continent. |
Seeking a deal that is "just right" will not be easy. | Seeking a deal that is "just right" will not be easy. |
EU referendum in focus | EU referendum in focus |
David Cameron is ready to start renegotiating the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means: | David Cameron is ready to start renegotiating the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means: |
The UK and the EU: Better off in or out? | The UK and the EU: Better off in or out? |
What Britain wants from Europe | What Britain wants from Europe |
Q&A: The UK's planned EU referendum | Q&A: The UK's planned EU referendum |
Timeline: EU referendum debate | Timeline: EU referendum debate |
Why Germany is David Cameron's new best friend | Why Germany is David Cameron's new best friend |