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| Nick Clegg to attack 'dishonest' Labour over EU vote | Nick Clegg to attack 'dishonest' Labour over EU vote |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to use a speech to attack Labour after it sided with Conservative rebels to inflict a defeat on the government over the EU budget. | Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to use a speech to attack Labour after it sided with Conservative rebels to inflict a defeat on the government over the EU budget. |
| The rebel MPs passed an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in EU spending between 2014 and 2020. | The rebel MPs passed an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in EU spending between 2014 and 2020. |
| Labour described the defeat as a humiliation for David Cameron. | Labour described the defeat as a humiliation for David Cameron. |
| Mr Clegg is expected to say Labour was "dishonest" and "hypocritical" in changing its policy on the issue. | Mr Clegg is expected to say Labour was "dishonest" and "hypocritical" in changing its policy on the issue. |
| The BBC's political correspondent Robin Brant said that, while Wednesday night's vote was not binding, it was embarrassing for the Tory leader. | |
| It offered fresh evidence that David Cameron was struggling to control his own side and was another show of strength by those wanting big changes to the UK's relationship with the EU, our correspondent added. | It offered fresh evidence that David Cameron was struggling to control his own side and was another show of strength by those wanting big changes to the UK's relationship with the EU, our correspondent added. |
| Mr Cameron has said that his position is that he would "at best" like to see the budget cut, and "at worst" seek to have it frozen - and that it was in the national interest to negotiate a deal. | Mr Cameron has said that his position is that he would "at best" like to see the budget cut, and "at worst" seek to have it frozen - and that it was in the national interest to negotiate a deal. |
| Labour criticism | Labour criticism |
| In a speech to be delivered to the Chatham House international affairs think-tank, Mr Clegg will say Labour is well aware there was "absolutely no prospect" of achieving a real-terms cut. | In a speech to be delivered to the Chatham House international affairs think-tank, Mr Clegg will say Labour is well aware there was "absolutely no prospect" of achieving a real-terms cut. |
| "Their change of heart is dishonest, it's hypocritical. And worst of all, Labour's plan would cost the taxpayer more, not less," he is expected to say. | "Their change of heart is dishonest, it's hypocritical. And worst of all, Labour's plan would cost the taxpayer more, not less," he is expected to say. |
| "Because in pushing a completely unrealistic position on the EU budget - one that is miles away from any other country's position - Labour would have absolutely no hope of getting a budget deal agreed." | "Because in pushing a completely unrealistic position on the EU budget - one that is miles away from any other country's position - Labour would have absolutely no hope of getting a budget deal agreed." |
| Mr Clegg will go on to say: "We've been waiting for years for the Labour Party to finally announce how they would cut spending. | Mr Clegg will go on to say: "We've been waiting for years for the Labour Party to finally announce how they would cut spending. |
| "Now they have finally come out in favour of cuts but in a way they know is undeliverable, and in a way that would hurt British taxpayers. And it turns out even their cuts cost money." | "Now they have finally come out in favour of cuts but in a way they know is undeliverable, and in a way that would hurt British taxpayers. And it turns out even their cuts cost money." |
| He will also say that the Tory rebels have "absolutely no hope" of achieving their goal of forcing the EU to cut spending. | He will also say that the Tory rebels have "absolutely no hope" of achieving their goal of forcing the EU to cut spending. |
| The budget amendment, passed by 307 votes to 294, comes ahead of key talks next month. | The budget amendment, passed by 307 votes to 294, comes ahead of key talks next month. |
| The defeat, the most significant since the coalition came to power in May 2010, came despite efforts by ministers to woo rebels and Mr Cameron earlier saying he would veto any budget deal that was not good for Britain. | The defeat, the most significant since the coalition came to power in May 2010, came despite efforts by ministers to woo rebels and Mr Cameron earlier saying he would veto any budget deal that was not good for Britain. |
| Heated debate | Heated debate |
| The rebel amendment was passed after a stormy debate in Commons on the 27-member union's next seven-year budget and UK contributions. | The rebel amendment was passed after a stormy debate in Commons on the 27-member union's next seven-year budget and UK contributions. |
| The European Commission's proposed budget for 2014-2020 would see a 5% increase in spending on the current seven-year period. | The European Commission's proposed budget for 2014-2020 would see a 5% increase in spending on the current seven-year period. |
| Government supporters said it would be "nigh on impossible" to negotiate a budget reduction given the lack of support among other EU nations and urged MPs to back Mr Cameron's call for an inflation-linked rise as the minimum acceptable outcome. | Government supporters said it would be "nigh on impossible" to negotiate a budget reduction given the lack of support among other EU nations and urged MPs to back Mr Cameron's call for an inflation-linked rise as the minimum acceptable outcome. |
| But Conservative rebels said Parliament would send a clear message and strengthen Mr Cameron's hand if MPs backed a spending cut. | But Conservative rebels said Parliament would send a clear message and strengthen Mr Cameron's hand if MPs backed a spending cut. |
| "If you think the EU has too much money, its budget is too large and it needs to be cut, then vote for the amendment," Conservative MP Mark Reckless, who spearheaded the rebel position, told MPs. | "If you think the EU has too much money, its budget is too large and it needs to be cut, then vote for the amendment," Conservative MP Mark Reckless, who spearheaded the rebel position, told MPs. |
| Foreign Secretary William Hague said ministers would "take notice" of Parliament's views, which reflected the "real concern" among MPs and the public about the size of the UK's financial contribution to the EU. | Foreign Secretary William Hague said ministers would "take notice" of Parliament's views, which reflected the "real concern" among MPs and the public about the size of the UK's financial contribution to the EU. |
| "The difference in this debate is over the tactics. The prime minister has made it clear that we are already going for the toughest position that any prime minister has gone for in EU budget negotiations." | "The difference in this debate is over the tactics. The prime minister has made it clear that we are already going for the toughest position that any prime minister has gone for in EU budget negotiations." |
| Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said there had been cross-party support for the idea of reducing EU expenditure at a time of austerity at home. | Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said there had been cross-party support for the idea of reducing EU expenditure at a time of austerity at home. |
| "It is not about party politics, it is about the national interest. Parliament has spoken and David Cameron has got to listen and deliver." | "It is not about party politics, it is about the national interest. Parliament has spoken and David Cameron has got to listen and deliver." |