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David Cameron hits back at EU chief's Ukip jibe David Cameron hits back at EU chief's Ukip jibe
(6 days later)
David Cameron has hit back at José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European commission, for "lecturing" his party about their similarities to Ukip.David Cameron has hit back at José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European commission, for "lecturing" his party about their similarities to Ukip.
The British prime minister said he would have a "robust exchange" with Barroso, after the latter said the Tories were at risk of losing out to Ukip in next year's European elections. Barroso said the party was trying to copy Ukip's Eurosceptic policies but voters would "prefer the original to the copy".The British prime minister said he would have a "robust exchange" with Barroso, after the latter said the Tories were at risk of losing out to Ukip in next year's European elections. Barroso said the party was trying to copy Ukip's Eurosceptic policies but voters would "prefer the original to the copy".
Speaking to LBC 97.3 Radio, Cameron said the outburst was irritating and inappropriate.Speaking to LBC 97.3 Radio, Cameron said the outburst was irritating and inappropriate.
"The Barroso thing did annoy me because, frankly, his job is to serve the members of the European Union and the British Conservatives in the European parliament are an important party," the prime minister said."The Barroso thing did annoy me because, frankly, his job is to serve the members of the European Union and the British Conservatives in the European parliament are an important party," the prime minister said.
"They are the governing party of the United Kingdom and he should be respecting their views rather than trying to lecture them."They are the governing party of the United Kingdom and he should be respecting their views rather than trying to lecture them.
"They've got an important contribution to make and I think he got it wrong, and I'll tell him that."They've got an important contribution to make and I think he got it wrong, and I'll tell him that.
"We have a good relationship, I get along with him. We sometimes have some pretty robust exchanges and I suspect this will probably be one of them.""We have a good relationship, I get along with him. We sometimes have some pretty robust exchanges and I suspect this will probably be one of them."
The row broke out on Wednesday after Barroso suggested to Tory MEPs that Nigel Farage's party will become Britain's "first force" in Brussels.The row broke out on Wednesday after Barroso suggested to Tory MEPs that Nigel Farage's party will become Britain's "first force" in Brussels.
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