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Nick Clegg says Cameron's EU goal 'wholly implausible' Nick Clegg says Cameron's EU goal 'wholly implausible'
(35 minutes later)
Nick Clegg has said the UK risks "tying itself in knots" and neglecting more important issues by trying to renegotiate its EU membership.Nick Clegg has said the UK risks "tying itself in knots" and neglecting more important issues by trying to renegotiate its EU membership.
The Lib Dem leader said it was "wholly implausible" to think the rules could be rewritten to "benefit us and disadvantage the rest" .The Lib Dem leader said it was "wholly implausible" to think the rules could be rewritten to "benefit us and disadvantage the rest" .
He said the aims of David Cameron's renegotiation were "vague" and uncertainty could hit growth and jobs.He said the aims of David Cameron's renegotiation were "vague" and uncertainty could hit growth and jobs.
The prime minister has said the UK needs a "better deal" in Europe. The prime minister has insisted the UK "is not turning its back on Europe".
David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU, although the pledge would be dependent on him being prime minister after the next election, expected in 2015.David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU, although the pledge would be dependent on him being prime minister after the next election, expected in 2015.
'Economic climate' 'Political purpose'
The move has been welcomed by most Conservative MPs but both Labour and the Lib Dems have said they do not support such an in/out referendum, arguing that uncertainty about Britain's future would undermine the UK's economic prospects.The move has been welcomed by most Conservative MPs but both Labour and the Lib Dems have said they do not support such an in/out referendum, arguing that uncertainty about Britain's future would undermine the UK's economic prospects.
Speaking on LBC radio, Mr Clegg said Mr Cameron was "entitled" to set out what he would do in a future Conservative government, although he disagreed with the timing which he suspected were being done for Mr Cameron's "own political purposes". Speaking on his weekly phone-in on LBC radio, Mr Clegg said Mr Cameron was "entitled" to set out what he would do in a future Conservative government and made clear he had been given advance notice of the PM's referendum commitment.
He said the Lib Dems backed a referendum if further powers wee transferred to Brussels and suggested the public would believe that offering the prospect of a referendum now was a distraction from other issues like jobs and crime. He said he did "not fear" the principle of a referendum and that his party had supported legislation guaranteeing that the public would be consulted before any further powers were transferred to Brussels.
Labour has said the value to the UK of the EU single market cannot be underestimated. But he said he disagreed with the timing of Mr Cameron's announcement which he suspected had more to do with Mr Cameron's "own political purposes" than the country's wider interest.
"We have traditionally said 'come to Britain because it is a favourable climate and you will have access to his huge market'," said former Labour Europe minister Peter Hain. He suggested the prospect of a referendum debate now was a distraction from tackling other more urgent issues such as securing lasting economic growth, job creation and tackling crime.
"Now we are on a road which could lead us out of Europe and out of that market and that is a decision which is going to affect investment." Whatever question was put to the British public, Mr Clegg said the underlying question would always remain whether the UK "should lead in Europe or should we be marginalised from it".
Although Mr Cameron talked about returning powers from Brussels to national governments in areas such as the environment and social affairs, he has yet to give any specific details. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Cameron said the EU was losing out to other growing economies and the union must be reformed so it was "an engine for growth, not a source of costs for business and complaints for our citizens".
Mr Lidington told the BBC's Newsnight that Mr Cameron had spelt out a vision for Europe as a whole and that the next Conservative manifesto would outline exactly how the party would try to renegotiate looser ties with the EU and in what areas. "This is not about turning our backs on Europe - quite the opposite. It is about how we make the case for case for a more competitive, open and flexible Europe and how we secure the UK's place in it."
New settlementNew settlement
Although Mr Cameron talked about returning powers from Brussels to national governments in areas such as the environment and social affairs, he has yet to give any specific details.
Senior Conservatives have suggested details of how the party would try to renegotiate looser ties with the EU and in what areas would be included in its election manifesto.
BBC political correspondent Vicki Young said this raised the prospect of some tense wrangling among Conservative MPs as they try to find agreement over just how far the party should go in its quest for a new settlement for Britain.BBC political correspondent Vicki Young said this raised the prospect of some tense wrangling among Conservative MPs as they try to find agreement over just how far the party should go in its quest for a new settlement for Britain.
France and Germany have warned the UK against pursuing an "a la carte" approach to EU membership while the US has reiterated that the UK and the EU are stronger together. Labour has warned that the prospect of a referendum could send out the wrong signal to business.
But Mr Cameron, who is addressing business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, has insisted he has backing for his strategy among the public and the business community. "We have traditionally said 'come to Britain because it is a favourable climate and you will have access to his huge market'," said former Labour Europe minister Peter Hain. "Now we are on a road which could lead us out of Europe and out of that market and that is a decision which is going to affect investment."
A group of 55 British business leaders have written an open letter to the Times endorsing the PM's approach, saying their firms are being held back by too much regulation coming from Brussels and it is time to "push for a more competitive, flexible and prosperous European Union that would bring more jobs and growth for all member states".A group of 55 British business leaders have written an open letter to the Times endorsing the PM's approach, saying their firms are being held back by too much regulation coming from Brussels and it is time to "push for a more competitive, flexible and prosperous European Union that would bring more jobs and growth for all member states".
However, other executives have warned that doubts about Britain's future in the EU could push up borrowing costs for companies and impact on growth and job creation.However, other executives have warned that doubts about Britain's future in the EU could push up borrowing costs for companies and impact on growth and job creation.