Zac Goldsmith: David Cameron's draft EU reforms aren’t very impressive

Underwhelmed: Zac Goldsmith

Alex Lentati

12 February 2016

Zac Goldsmith today dealt a blow to David Cameron’s attempts to unite Conservatives around his European Union reforms by dismissing the draft deal as “not very impressive”.

The Tory mayoral candidate said he was holding back his final verdict out of “courtesy” to the Prime Minister, but his remarks were seen as a strong hint he may campaign for an Out vote in the referendum, expected this summer.

“As a courtesy to him I will wait and see what he comes back with before formally taking a view,” he said. “But if you look at the reforms that are currently on offer they’re not very impressive.” Mr Cameron has trumpeted his draft deal on reforms, which include an “emergency brake” on benefits designed to slow down mass migration, as the basis for a vote to stay in the EU.

The Prime Minister travelled to Germany today to gather more EU support for his proposals. No 10 sources said he would use a speech at a St Matthew’s Day banquet in Hamburg to “explain” his demands and to argue that, providing the changes are agreed, it will be in the UK’s interests to stay in the EU.

But in fresh signs of Tory divisions at home, 130 councillors signed a letter calling on Mr Cameron to admit that the deal fell short of his goals. It called on him to “unite your party and Britain” by campaigning for Brexit.

Senior government sources say Mr Cameron is planning a “reshuffle of reconciliation” after the referendum battle to patch up party wounds.

It could see a Cabinet return for Liam Fox, who has shot up the leadership rankings since campaigning for an exit from the EU, and Employment Minister Priti Patel, another possible Outer.

Mr Cameron will be battling to defend the reforms currently on offer, rather than to improve on them, when the 28 European leaders gather at a crunch summit in Brussels next week.

British negotiators are battling against France to stop attempts to tie the City of London into financial rules designed mainly to stabilise the eurozone.

The draft deal has been amended to emphasise a duty to “co-operate” with the further integration of the single-currency economies.

“I want him to do a good job and I wish him well,” Mr Goldsmith told the Daily Telegraph. “But if it’s not enough then I will vote to come out.”

Mr Cameron will hold private talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel before his speech.

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Zac Goldsmith

Prime Minister

Zac Goldsmith: David Cameron's draft EU reforms aren’t very impressive

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