Last night's TV debate between prime ministerial hopefuls Cameron, incumbent Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg saw the Tory leader produce some memorable if predictable Eurosceptic soundbites.
The Tory leader claimed that his opponents "just give in to everything that comes out of Brussels and do not stand up for the country".
The 'Europe question' has historically been a bugbear for Tory leaders, who have to perform a delicate balancing act in keeping the party’s influential Eurosceptic wing happy while also attempting to maintain cordial relations with like-minded political groups across Europe.
Following the June 2009 European elections, Cameron appeared to confirm his Eurosceptic leanings when he pulled the Tories out of the European Parliament’s dominant centre-right group, deeming it to be too pro-EU. Many EU commentators viewed this as a disastrous move for the Tories, believing they would lose influence and important European partnerships (EurActiv 13/07/09).
The Tories were subsequently a driving force behind the formation of a new Eurosceptic group in the EU assembly, the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR) (EurActiv 23/06/09). But they have faced persistent attacks that some of their allies have extremist political convictions.
Trading accusations on Europe
Continuing this pattern, Labour leader Gordon Brown and Liberal Democrat head Nick Clegg went on the offensive on the issue of the Conservatives’ EU allies. Brown accused Cameron of joining with a group of "rightwing extremists," while Clegg said the Tories sit in an alliance with "a bunch of nutters and homophobes who deny climate change".
Brown went on to claim that his Tory rival is "anti-European" and wants a "little Britain" that is isolated and weakened in the international arena. "Let us never again be an empty chair in Europe," he said.
Echoing Prime Minister Brown, Lib Dem leader Clegg announced "we want to lead in Europe, not sit on the sidelines". "We punch above our weight when we stand together in Europe," he said.
Cameron hit back by describing as "nonsense" suggestions that a Conservative government would leave Britain isolated in Brussels. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stand up for their countries in Europe, he told the Bristol audience, but they are not on the sidelines of Europe.
"But you have walked away from Sarkozy and gone in with right-wing extremists," Brown responded.
Fighting back, Cameron accused Brown of having given away too many powers to Brussels, which the Tories "want to get […] back," adding fuel to suggestions that a Conservative government would seek British opt-outs in a number of EU policy areas.
Cameron also attacked the Labour PM for refusing to honour his promise to hold a British referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. "People feel cheated" that the referendum did not take place, he claimed.
"What you are hearing from the other two is, frankly, do not trust the people. Do not ask them when you pass powers from Westminster to Brussels," he concluded.
Opinion polls inconclusive
Early opinion polls suggested that last night's debate was much closer than the first one, which was held last Thursday.
It was unclear yesterday evening whether Cameron or Clegg had come out on top, while Brown's ratings were the most improved of the three leaders.
The third debate, dealing with the economy, will take place next Thursday and will be shown on BBC One.
