Euro Tories in splendid isolation - 2009-03-12

Yesterday William Hague met with the chairman of the European People's Party (EPP) to confirm that Tory MEPs will leave the biggest group of the European Parliament and will try to set up their own.

Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour's Leader in Europe, commented: "Once again the Tories have put dogma before national interest. This is a party not fit to govern.

"Just when the global economic crisis has shown the need for effective cooperation with our partners, David Cameron is showing himself to be an isolationist. This decision shows a complete lack of leadership. He is clearly pandering to the eurosceptic lunatic fringe of his own Party. 

"Tory MEPs and the wider Conservative Party will have no influence and no say in the European Parliament. This cannot be good for the people of Britain, who they claim to represent in Europe" Glenis Willmott MEP continued.

"Tories in the next European Parliament will sit in splendid isolation, as it is not certain that they will find political allies. David Cameron will have to explain who he has invited to form a new political group in the European Parliament."

For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.

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