British PM suffers fresh Tory rebellion

The Prime Minister was further embarrassed after large number of Conservative MPs voted Wednesday for a motion critical of the coalition government’s plans regarding the European Union, British media reported.

David Cameron, who’s already struggling to assert control over his own party, was urged by the nonbinding but symbolic vote to do more on Europe.

Tory politicians expressed regret that the coalition’s legislative agenda doesn’t contain plans for a new law to hold a referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU.

While the rebel Tories were defeated, by 277 votes to 130, those voting for the motion were almost all Conservatives-sending a clear signal to Cameron that many in his party feel he needs to do more on Europe.

Cameron’s coalition partners, the pro-Europe Liberal Democrats, and the opposition Labour party both mainly voted against the motion.

Just a day earlier, Cameron had sought to placate the Euroskeptic wing of his Conservative Party by having the party publish a draft bill committing the country to a referendum on its EU membership, although that bill’s chances of passing are slim.

The developments are raising questions over the extent of his authority in the center-right party and could affect his chances of winning the next election, due in 2015.

The Conservative rift is bad news for the party two years before general elections. It also reminds many of how the issue of Europe led to the downfall of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and undermined her successor John Major.

MOL/HE

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/16/303771/fresh/

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British PM suffers fresh Tory rebellion

The Prime Minister was further embarrassed after large number of Conservative MPs voted Wednesday for a motion critical of the coalition government’s plans regarding the European Union, British media reported.

David Cameron, who’s already struggling to assert control over his own party, was urged by the nonbinding but symbolic vote to do more on Europe.

Tory politicians expressed regret that the coalition’s legislative agenda doesn’t contain plans for a new law to hold a referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU.

While the rebel Tories were defeated, by 277 votes to 130, those voting for the motion were almost all Conservatives-sending a clear signal to Cameron that many in his party feel he needs to do more on Europe.

Cameron’s coalition partners, the pro-Europe Liberal Democrats, and the opposition Labour party both mainly voted against the motion.

Just a day earlier, Cameron had sought to placate the Euroskeptic wing of his Conservative Party by having the party publish a draft bill committing the country to a referendum on its EU membership, although that bill’s chances of passing are slim.

The developments are raising questions over the extent of his authority in the center-right party and could affect his chances of winning the next election, due in 2015.

The Conservative rift is bad news for the party two years before general elections. It also reminds many of how the issue of Europe led to the downfall of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and undermined her successor John Major.

MOL/HE

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/16/303771/fresh/

Views: 0

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply

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