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Lib Dems will keep British government anchored firmly in EU, says Nick Clegg Lib Dems will keep Britain anchored firmly in EU, says Nick Clegg
(about 2 hours later)
Nick Clegg has insisted the Liberal Democrats will keep the Britain government "anchored firmly in the heart of the European Union", after the new Conservative defence secretary said David Cameron has appointed a Eurosceptic cabinet to match the mood of the country. Nick Clegg has insisted the Liberal Democrats will keep Britain "anchored firmly in the heart of the European Union", after the new Conservative defence secretary said David Cameron had appointed a Eurosceptic cabinet to match the mood of the country.
The Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister said it was an example of the Conservatives "talking to each other rather than to the country", after Michael Fallon claimed the cabinet now more accurately reflected the views of voters.The Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister said it was an example of the Conservatives "talking to each other rather than to the country", after Michael Fallon claimed the cabinet now more accurately reflected the views of voters.
"If the Conservatives want to constantly change their own policy or their own stance or the way they talk about Europe, that is for them," he said."If the Conservatives want to constantly change their own policy or their own stance or the way they talk about Europe, that is for them," he said.
"This government, the coalition government, because of the Liberal Democrats in it, remains anchored in the centre ground, with Britain anchored firmly in the heart of the European Union.""This government, the coalition government, because of the Liberal Democrats in it, remains anchored in the centre ground, with Britain anchored firmly in the heart of the European Union."
Earlier, Fallon signalled the appointments of Eurosceptic cabinet ministers would appeal to voters tempted by Ukip, arguing that David Cameron was the only leader who could achieve change in Brussels. Fallon had said the appointments of Eurosceptic cabinet ministers would appeal to voters tempted by Ukip, arguing that David Cameron was the only leader who could achieve change in Brussels.
He said the Conservatives "do not want to see Europe going on as it has been going on, harmonising and centralising".He said the Conservatives "do not want to see Europe going on as it has been going on, harmonising and centralising".
Following the removal of Dominic Grieve as attorney general, there are also signs the party could contemplate withdrawal from the European court of human rights.Following the removal of Dominic Grieve as attorney general, there are also signs the party could contemplate withdrawal from the European court of human rights.
"It is certainly a Eurosceptic cabinet. I think the country is pretty Eurosceptic now. You saw that at the European elections," Fallon said."It is certainly a Eurosceptic cabinet. I think the country is pretty Eurosceptic now. You saw that at the European elections," Fallon said.
"We all now, I think, want reform in Europe, a different kind of Europe, and that's the agenda that's going to be pursued now to get those reforms and then to give people a choice which they haven't had since 1975, as to whether to continue to be members or not.""We all now, I think, want reform in Europe, a different kind of Europe, and that's the agenda that's going to be pursued now to get those reforms and then to give people a choice which they haven't had since 1975, as to whether to continue to be members or not."
Fallon also defended the appointment of Lord Hill, a former adviser to Sir John Major, as the UK's new commissioner, whom he described as a "really effective" political operator. Fallon also defended the appointment of Lord Hill, a former adviser to Sir John Major, as the UK's new commissioner, whom he described as a "really effective political operator".
Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, has poured scorn on the choice, saying: "Jonathan Hill: who are you?" Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, has poured scorn on the choice. "Jonathan Hill, who are you?" he said.
But Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Lord Hill has been leader of the House of Lords, a very important job in the government. Before that he's had experience in Downing Street. He's one of those really effective political operators, a little bit behind the scenes, I grant you, you may not have seen a lot of him on television recently, but that's not the job in the commission. Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Lord Hill has been leader of the House of Lords, a very important job in the government. Before that he's had experience in Downing Street. He's one of those really effective political operators, a little bit behind the scenes, I grant you, you may not have seen a lot of him on television recently, but that's not the job in the commission.
"You've got to work behind the scenes, you've got to be an operator, you've got to build alliances and build coalitions. There are 28 member states altogether, and he's a pretty skilful behind-the-scenes operator. And I think he'll do a great job for Britain.""You've got to work behind the scenes, you've got to be an operator, you've got to build alliances and build coalitions. There are 28 member states altogether, and he's a pretty skilful behind-the-scenes operator. And I think he'll do a great job for Britain."
Fallon is one of several Eurosceptics to be given prominent jobs. The most significant of these appointments was Philip Hammond as foreign secretary, who will pave the way for attempted reforms in the UK's relationship with the EU.Fallon is one of several Eurosceptics to be given prominent jobs. The most significant of these appointments was Philip Hammond as foreign secretary, who will pave the way for attempted reforms in the UK's relationship with the EU.
Cameron has promised a referendum on Britain's membership by the end of 2017 if he is still in power after these reforms have taken place. He will head to Brussels in an effort to secure a top post for Hill such as trade or competition but he will have to battle with other European leaders all seeking to install their candidates in the best roles. Cameron has promised a referendum on Britain's membership by the end of 2017 if he is still in power after the reforms have taken place. He will attempt to secure a top post such as trade or competition for Hill, but he will have to battle with other European leaders all seeking to install their candidates in the most influential roles.
On Tuesday night, the prime minister said he hoped his reshuffle had brought in "a fresh team with the ideas, the energy, the policy and the ability to take this country forward".On Tuesday night, the prime minister said he hoped his reshuffle had brought in "a fresh team with the ideas, the energy, the policy and the ability to take this country forward".
However, Lord O'Donnell, formerly Britain's top civil servant, said it would be better if the ministers spend their time implementing policy that has already been announced rather than changing too much in the last 10 months before the election. He said the new team would probably be "ministers for presentation and the [Today] programme". Lord O'Donnell, formerly Britain's top civil servant, said it would be better if ministers spent their time implementing policy that had already been announced rather than changing too much in the last 10 months before the election. He said the new team would probably be "ministers for presentation and the [Today] programme".
"We're not going to have major radical reforms announced between now and May. We'll have manifestos and – as is right in a democracy – people will get to choose," he told the BBC."We're not going to have major radical reforms announced between now and May. We'll have manifestos and – as is right in a democracy – people will get to choose," he told the BBC.