Conservatives need the Liberal Democrats in the EU

[espadrille]

Both Cameron and Hague are seemingly climbing down from anti EU rhetoric. The conservatives need the Lib Dems in Europe.

There has been a study done of voting patterns since the European Parliament elections and the Liberal Group, The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe are kingmakers when it comes to key votes in the European Parliament.

Liberal Democrat MEPs are on the winning side 97% of the time. Conservative MEPs are marginalised.

 

The Lib Dems are hugely influential in Brussels and can make a real difference.

Now that Edward Mc Millan Scott has joined the Lib Dems earlier this year, The LIb Dems are now the only party in the Region to have two MEPs and are both from Yorkshire and the Humber.

 

So ,does it suit Cameron and the Conservatives to have The Lib Dems with them in the coalition.?

We may not think of ourselves as European like the other members do , but we certainly need to have some influence.

 

What do people think about Europe?

Do you think that over time we shall think of ourselves as European, or shall we forever maintain an island mentality?

[Berberis]

This is all part of the realigning of the conservative party to one that is remarkably similar to that of the old Pre WWII conservatives, i.e. Liberal Conservatism.

[Blackbeard]

Max started a thread about Edward McMillan-Scot in March, I met the guy last year and I agree with a lot he said about the strange bedfellows that Mr Cameron had chosen to join in their European alliance.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6016348#post6016348

[espadrille]

I guess the number of responses to this thread represents the lack of enthusiasm that the country feels when there is any talk about Europe.

As I said we still have an island mentality.

[Stoatwobbler]

I can't help but think that if the Con-Dem coalition could be an opportunity for UKIP to get even more anti-EU votes off the Tories. (Provided UKIP get their act together of course).

 

Of course that would be most noticable at European elections.