– Goodbye ever closer union? –
In the speech, Cameron explicitly spoke against the central European tenet of ever-closer union, saying it was “not a commitment that should apply any longer to Britain”.
He stressed that he would not be pushing for individual national parliaments to be able to veto EU measures but wants groups of national parliaments to be able to club together to do so.
On his push to restrict benefits for EU migrants for the first four years of their time in Britain, he insisted he did not want to “destroy” the principle of freedom of movement which is at the heart of the European project.
Downing Street has highlighted figures which show that 43 per cent of EU migrants rely on the support of Britain’s benefits system during their first four years in the country.
Cameron’s speech was greeted with scepticism by those who want Britain to leave the EU.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was “clear that Mr Cameron is not aiming for any substantial renegotiation.”
He added: “His speech was an attempt to portray a new ‘third way’ relationship with Brussels that is simply not on offer.”
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