Budget showdown demand by Tory backbenchers
THE Prime Minister was last night urged to put a halt to Brussels’ latest money-grabbing demands as a priority in a “new deal” with Europe.
He faces a showdown with European leaders next month over the EU’s colossal £790billion budget.
Tory backbenchers want Mr Cameron to use any negotiations to step up his pressure on reining in Brussels’ runaway spending. Conservative MP Douglas Carswell said: “There cannot be any increase in Britain’s contribution to the EU, especially with constituents facing so many cutbacks.
“If the Prime Minister sets about a new deal with Europe then it has got to start with the money. The EU’s budget demands are too high.”
The first round of budget talks broke up in chaos in November after two days of wrangling.
Senior European figures blamed the PM’s call for a cut or, at least, a freeze on EU spending.
But Mr Cameron hit back by savaging the Eurocrats for failing to save “a single euro” by cutting lavish pay, pensions and perks.