James Slack
ANALYSIS
Our Daily Mail Political Editor examines what
the Prime minister is-
and isn't - for, and highlights the potential
pitfalls.
EUROZONE FAVOURITISM
Protect the single market by guaranteeing
fairness
between euro and non-euro countries.
WHAT DOES THE PM WANT
He is seeking an explicit recognition that the
euro is not the only currency of the
European Union. He is also seeking a
binding commitment that the 19 countries inside
the eurozone will not be able to impose
financial rules on Britain that would harm the
city. MAY REQUIRE
TREATY CHANGE
PITFALLS: Nobody has seriously
suggested Britain should join the euro for a decade.
More generally, members of the eurozone would
still be able to gang up on Britain in the
Council of Ministers, the EU's main
decision-making body. On the 72 occasions that
the UK has voted against a measure in the
Council, it has still gone on to become law.
BRUSSELS RED TAPE
Cut red tape for business and write
competitiveness into the DNA' of the whole EU.
*
WHAT DOES THE PM WANT?
Mr Cameron is seeking to set a target for
reducing the regulations spewed out of Brussels.
With the support of northern European nations,
a quick victory is likely.
PITFALLS:
Research by campaigners at Vote Leave show
that nearly 1,000 regulations have been
introduced in the past year alone-taking
the total to a mind-boggling
23,072
*
EVER-CLOSER UNION
Exempt Britain from the EU founding commitment
to move towards' ever-closer union' and
bolster the blocking powers of national
governments.
WHAT DOES THE PM WANT?
Westminster would be able to club together
with other parliaments to block legislation-
though the PM did not specify how many
countries would have to sign up for the veto to be
effective. Brussels views the commitment to
'ever closer union' as largely symbolic so is
unlikely to object.
PITFALLS:
Eurosceptic MPs wanted the UK parliament to be
able to brandish a unilateral red card in
order to protect national sovereignty. Europe
has made it clear this idea is not acceptable, in
any case, Eurosceptics say Britain needs a
looser union-actually rolling back the
superstate.
*
MIGRANT BENEFITS
Curb migrant benefits to end abuses of free
movement and reduce EU immigration.
WHAT DOES THE PM WANT?
No in-work benefits or social housing until
working migrants have been in Britain for four
years. No child benefit or taxcredits paid for
children living outside the EU. Limiting the free
movement rights of citizens of new member
states. Crackdown on sham marriages.
PITFALLS:
Mr Cameron's biggest headache by far is the
four year ban on migrant benefits which the
European Commission yesterday described as
'highly problematic' because it discriminates
between different categories of EU citizens
(British citizens and migrants).
*
NOVEMBER 11-2015
|