David Cameron's EU vote humiliation: what the national papers say

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2012/nov/01/davidcameron-eu

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David Cameron got the expected press coverage for his Commons defeat over the EU budget. Newspapers viewed it as a blow to his authority.

Though the 307-294 vote against him is not binding, no prime minister can laugh off a rebellion by 53 members of his party.

Worse for him, it summoned up memories of the European dramas that so dramatically undermined one of his predecessors, John Major.

There was a similarity about the straightforward headlines chosen by the papers that splashed on the vote: "Cameron humiliated on eve of EU budget" (The Times); "Tory rebels deal EU blow to Cameron" (The Guardian); "Rebels deal blow to Cameron over EU" (Financial Times); "Tory Euro rebels humiliate Cameron" (Daily Mail) and the somewhat hyperbolic "Nightmare on Downing Street" (i).

The Daily Telegraph's page one story, "Coalition defeated on EU budget", was carried down page. The Independent, unlike its little sister, published only a page 1 paragraph pointing to an inside story headlined "Tory rebels give PM a bloody nose in fight over EU budget". Metro's headline writer had the same thought for its page 5 lead: "Tory rebels give Cameron a bloody nose over Europe."

The Daily Express, with "Cameron humiliated as rebel Tories vote for EU spending cuts", devoted all of page 2 to its coverage, as did The Sun, with "PM's Europe fright night", and the Daily Mirror with "'Weak abroad, weak at home': David Cameron receives first major Commons defeat over EU budget."

In its editorial, "The Commons has spoken for the nation", the Telegraph saw Cameron's defeat as "a pivotal moment" in Britain's relationship with Europe. It said:

"Mr Cameron may rue last night's defeat, but the time has come for Britain to take a stand against the profligacy and fiscal incontinence of the European Commission."

It was withering about Labour's support for the Tory rebels, calling it "utterly cynical."

The Sun agreed. "Oppositions are entitled to be cynically opportunistic," said its editorial, "and Ed Miliband has never disappointed… last night's performance displayed a total lack of principle." It continued:

"Here was the Labour Party — which under Blair and Brown lay on its back waving its legs in the air for Brussels — posturing as the anti-EU party fighting for Britain.

Has Red Ed forgotten how his old boss Gordon Brown surrendered Britain to Brussels by signing the Lisbon Treaty? And how his own deputy Harriet Harman is a Brussels fanatic?

The Sun's readers want Mr Cameron to fight for Britain. But if Ed Miliband thinks he can fool us into seeing him as the scourge of the EU, he must take us for mugs."

The Mirror, which continues to show an enthusiasm for the EU that no other popular paper displays, faced a difficult task in defending Miliband's decision to vote with Tory Eurosceptics.

After remarking that "Miliband is left open to accusations of opportunism" it concluded: "Tactical votes in parliament will be won and lost as long as parties play political games... but we must not lose sight of the huge value to Britain of a seat at the European table."

The Mail, after a routine knock at opportunist Labour, argued that the vote should embolden Cameron. These are the key paragraphs from its leading article:

"While it is never comfortable for a prime minister to be defied by his backbenchers, the vote for a tougher stance over the EU budget will greatly strengthen his hand when he goes to the negotiating table.

He can now tell our EU partners that while he was prepared to settle for a freeze in the budget, the people of Britain and their representatives in Parliament insist that he must demand cuts."

The Mail's sketch writer, Quentin Letts, poked fun at Miliband, contending that his backbenchers "did not seem entirely delighted suddenly to be told that they must take a Eurosceptic line. Speeches made later in the day by lifelong Labour Europhiles had an unconvincing tone – Aled Jones trying to sing a rap song."

By contrast, the ever-realistic Don MacIntyre noted in his Independent sketch that "these days being told that a politician – of any party – is 'opportunistic' is hardly a surprise to set the public's pulses racing."

In his Guardian sketch, Simon Hoggart got to the heart of Cameron's future European dilemma. He is now "sort of" leading a party that "cannot be controlled, and depends on a parliament that refuses to bend to his will." Hoggart wrote:

"You could almost hear the scarlet blood vessels popping on his face in Downing Street. And he must be wondering exactly when he'll have to throw a referendum to the pursuing wolves."

Finally, I couldn't help but notice the claim in the Express news story about its own key role in last night's vote:

"The result is another symbolic stage in the Daily Express crusade to get Britain out of the EU."

Really? I wonder if Cameron - or the Tory rebels for that matter - were aware of that.