Dr Kirsty Hughes comments on David Camerons veto on EU Treaty

Kirsty Hughes published a piece in openDemocracy.net (20 December) on David Cameron’s use of the veto on the EU treaty that aimed to solve the euro crisis.

Kirsty notes that Cameron found himself isolated by the decisions of the other 26 EU members to forge ahead with an intergovernmental treaty. Given the circumstances, the use of the veto is unlikely to be forgotten, and bad feelings will linger. Moreover, although there should be plenty of wiggle room for Britain to get what it wants within the treaty, Camerons insistence on not contributing to the IMF fund to aid the eurozone suggests that Britain may be unwilling to mend fences any time soon.

While the debate so far has been around the modalities of a two speed Europe, the British veto suggests that a three speed Europe with the UK in the third outer circle close to the exit door may be in the making.

The full article can be read here.

Kirsty Hughes is Senior Associate Fellow, Centre for International Studies, University of Oxford.