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Now EU bullies demand end to British rebate

Wednesday, 14th December 2011

Senior EU figures are out to end Britain's hard-won European Union rebate as an act of vengeance for David Cameron's wielding of the UK veto at Friday's Summit.

Veteran French politician Joseph Daul, leader of the European Parliament's largest grouping the European People's Party, revealed the revenge plan during a debate in Strasbourg on the summit.

He was cheered when he told MEPs that because Britain had not shown "consideration or solidarity" at the summit..."the British cheque is now up for question."

He went on: "Fellow citizens' tax money should be spent on something else than compensating selfish nationalism."

But Roger Helmer, Conservative MEP for the East Midlands region, said:

"Bullying and threats did not work on Mr Cameron last week - and they won't work on his MEPs this week.

"Clearly the architects of this move to fiscal union feel wounded by the UK's veto - so they lash out.

"They reach for the nearest, the most obvious weapon that comes to hand - and of course that is the rebate.

"But make no mistake, it is not up for negotiation. Our net contribution is more than £6 billion in spite of the rebate - and unlike Labour, Conservatives are not for handing any rebate back.

"Unless he wants to see another veto, Mr Daul should reconsider this rash threat, stop trying to menace us and concentrate on containing the euro crisis."