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Stand tall in Europe, Clegg urges Stand tall in Europe, Clegg urges
(about 7 hours later)
The UK must "stand tall" in Europe if the British people are to get the full benefit of EU membership, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said.The UK must "stand tall" in Europe if the British people are to get the full benefit of EU membership, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said.
Launching his party's Euro election campaign, Mr Clegg said the EU offered "safety in numbers" in a recession and help for jobs and the environment.Launching his party's Euro election campaign, Mr Clegg said the EU offered "safety in numbers" in a recession and help for jobs and the environment.
Labour was "finished", he said, while a vote for the Tories would be "wasted".Labour was "finished", he said, while a vote for the Tories would be "wasted".
The Conservatives said the Lib Dems could not be trusted to "stand up" for British interests in Europe.
'Stronger together'
In the 2004 European elections, the Lib Dems were pushed into fourth place behind the UK Independence Party.In the 2004 European elections, the Lib Dems were pushed into fourth place behind the UK Independence Party.
Mr Clegg urged voters to take next month's EU elections seriously, saying Europe took collective decisions on key issues like climate change which affected people's daily lives.Mr Clegg urged voters to take next month's EU elections seriously, saying Europe took collective decisions on key issues like climate change which affected people's daily lives.
The Tories want to pull down the drawbridge, turn the clock back and retreat to the fanatical fringe of European politics Nick Clegg Clegg warns of Eurosceptic danger
"We have to act together if we want to make Britain safer, if we want to safeguard jobs and protect the environment," Mr Clegg - who was an MEP for five years before being elected to the House of Commons in 2005 - said."We have to act together if we want to make Britain safer, if we want to safeguard jobs and protect the environment," Mr Clegg - who was an MEP for five years before being elected to the House of Commons in 2005 - said.
"We are stronger together. We are poorer apart. It is as simple as that.""We are stronger together. We are poorer apart. It is as simple as that."
The Lib Dems were the only party which could get out of Europe "what British families need", he stressed.The Lib Dems were the only party which could get out of Europe "what British families need", he stressed.
The Tories want to pull down the drawbridge, turn the clock back and retreat to the fanatical fringe of European politics Nick Clegg
While the EU was "far from perfect", Mr Clegg added, it was an organisation with enormous economic power which could offer the UK support and protection through the recession.While the EU was "far from perfect", Mr Clegg added, it was an organisation with enormous economic power which could offer the UK support and protection through the recession.
He said Labour was deflated and disunited while a vote for the Conservatives next month would be a "wasted" one as they were on the sidelines of the European debate.He said Labour was deflated and disunited while a vote for the Conservatives next month would be a "wasted" one as they were on the sidelines of the European debate.
"The Tories want to pull down the drawbridge, turn the clock back and retreat to the fanatical fringe of European politics.""The Tories want to pull down the drawbridge, turn the clock back and retreat to the fanatical fringe of European politics."
'Undemocratic'
David Cameron is pulling the Conservatives out of the European People's Party grouping of centre-right parties in the European Parliament, saying it is a federalist body.David Cameron is pulling the Conservatives out of the European People's Party grouping of centre-right parties in the European Parliament, saying it is a federalist body.
The Tories intend to form a new grouping in the European Parliament after the election but the move has attracted criticism from some European leaders and Conservative MPs.The Tories intend to form a new grouping in the European Parliament after the election but the move has attracted criticism from some European leaders and Conservative MPs.
'Relevant' The Lib Dems' centralised, undemocratic vision of Europe belongs to the past William Hague, shadow foreign secretary
The Conservatives said it was the Lib Dems who were isolated on Europe in their opposition to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and their support for eventual adoption of the euro.
"The Lib Dems' centralised, undemocratic vision of Europe belongs to the past," said shadow foreign secretary William Hague.
"We need a modern, flexible Europe that lets European countries deliver real benefits by working together and listens to people's views."
The Lib Dems trailed in behind the UK Independence Party in 2004, with 14.9% of the popular vote.The Lib Dems trailed in behind the UK Independence Party in 2004, with 14.9% of the popular vote.
Politicians from the three major UK parties have expressed concerns that voters could use elections for the European Parliament to punish them for the expenses row bedevilling the House of Commons.Politicians from the three major UK parties have expressed concerns that voters could use elections for the European Parliament to punish them for the expenses row bedevilling the House of Commons.
But a Populus opinion poll in Tuesday's Times, conducted by phone after the expenses details were first published, suggests the Lib Dems are now on 22% (up 4% on the month), with Labour on 26% (down 4%) and the Conservatives on 39% (down 4%).But a Populus opinion poll in Tuesday's Times, conducted by phone after the expenses details were first published, suggests the Lib Dems are now on 22% (up 4% on the month), with Labour on 26% (down 4%) and the Conservatives on 39% (down 4%).
On 4 June, voters from across Europe will elect 785 MEPs, made up of representatives from all 27 EU countries. The UK is allocated 72 of these seats.On 4 June, voters from across Europe will elect 785 MEPs, made up of representatives from all 27 EU countries. The UK is allocated 72 of these seats.