UK eurosceptics 'should join UKIP'

British eurosceptics who do not accept the Conservative party’s decision to stay in the EPP-ED should go to UKIP, a senior Tory MEP has declared.

Caroline Jackson’s assertion follows Thursday’s decision to keep the UK Conservatives in the EPP-ED grouping until 2009.

“To those who wish to leave the party I say, I hope they will do so. They would feel more comfortable with UKIP,” Jackson told this website.

Jackson has made no secret of her wish to remain part of the EPP-ED - the biggest parliamentary grouping - and to push for reform from within.

And she has slammed party leader David Cameron for succumbing to eurosceptic pressure and pledging to pull out.

“Cameron needs to learn a lot more about EU politics. This is a very considerable climb down,” she insisted.

“It will not be possible to pull out of the EPP-ED in 2009 if it has not proved possible now.”

Failed negotiations

Following months of negotiations, Conservative MEPs have failed to find suitable allies for their proposed new centre right group.

But Cameron insists his plans will go ahead in 2009 - when the Czech centre right Civic Democratic Party (ODS) will be ready to come on board.

But it is unclear what will happen to his 26 MEPs in the mean time.

While Jackson et al are eager to maintain good relations with the EPP-ED, others are outraged at being forced to cohabit with federalists and EU enthusiasts.

“The point is we disagree fundamentally with the European parties of the EPP,” Martin Callanan MEP told theparliament.com.

Callanan says it is time to form a new political body that is more like-minded on enlargement and rejecting plans for the EU constitution.

Sources close to the UK Conservatives in Brussels note that “the majority of right wingers did not turn up” to listen to Cameron’s announcement on Thursday.

Daniel Hannan MEP was noted for his absence.
 
Hannan has apparantly claimed he will leave the party if the decision to stay in the EPP-ED is taken.

Awkward divorce

With the European party so irrevocably split, Jackson says she has resigned herself to years of ill-feeling between British Conservatives and their European counterparts.

“We are now in a situation where we have said to our partner ‘we want a divorce’ – but we are staying in the same house and using the same kitchen,” she declared.

“That is an incredibly awkward position to be in.” 

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