Not quite a meeting of minds then, Dave?
EU block leaders his plans for four-year curb for migrants
DAVID Cameron was last night forced to retreat on migrant benefits after facing a barrage of protest from more than a dozen EU leaders.
Countries in Eastern Europe led the charge in dismissing the Prime Minister’s ‘discriminatory’ proposals to stop EU workers accessing in-work benefits for the first four years after arriving in the UK.
During a dinner in Brussels to discuss Britain’s referendum renegotiation demands, Mr Cameron warned his fellow leaders that the UK had faced ‘unprecedented’ waves of migration, putting major ‘pressures’ on public services.
He added: ‘This is a major concern of the British people that is undermining support for the European Union. We need to find an effective answer to this problem.’
But despite his tough talk – and a promise to ‘battle through the night’ to get the best deal for Britain – it was made clear that the benefits plan was dead.
Aides said Mr Cameron was now willing to consider alternative proposals provided they help to curb mass migration – even though the benefits ban had been a Tory manifesto commitment.
Officials also said that the Prime Minister had not been seeking to reach a deal on the future terms of Britain’s EU membership at the dinner, but was instead hoping to build ‘political momentum’.
At best, they hope he will be in a position to secure a deal at the next EU council meeting in February. If he fails to do so, Downing Street’s hopes of a snap in/out referendum in June would be over.
Over the working dinner, the Prime Minister spelled out his four key demands – curbing migration, increasing competitiveness, freeing Britain from the EU’s commitment to ‘ever closer union’ and measures to stop the eurozone countries ganging up on non-members.
He said: ‘Countries need flexibility so they can make changes to their welfare systems to better manage migration. We have got to address this worry of the British people that they will be taken against their will into a political project. This is a fear that has undermined British public trust in the EU for a number of years.’
But before the dinner even began, Mr Cameron was hit by a wall of hostility. On the way into the summit, other leaders lined up in front of the TV cameras to make it clear there would be no deal on benefits.
The leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia had released a joint statement criticising Mr Cameron’s proposals after meeting him ahead of the summit.
They said ‘we believe we can ... reach a comprehensive agreement by February’, but added: ‘[We] consider the freedom of movement one of the fundamental values of the European Union. Proposals regarding this area remain the most sensitive issue for us. In this respect, we will not support any solutions which would be discriminatory or limit free movement.’
French president Francois Hollande said: ‘If it is legitimate to listen to the British Prime Minister, it is unacceptable to revise founding European commitments.’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would be supportive of Mr Cameron, but only if his renegotiation demands stayed in line with current EU treaties.
She said: ‘ On our side we would like to keep Britain as a member of the EU, but at the same time we do not want to limit the basic freedoms, non- discrimination, the fundamental principles of the EU.
‘I believe there should be possibilities to find solutions if all sides are willing to compromise.’
Charles Michel, the Belgian prime minister, said Mr Cameron would be forced to drop key demands after ‘strong and frank’ talks, adding: ‘Cameron’s starting point will certainly not be the destination.’
Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi said about parts of Mr Cameron’s proposals: ‘We’re not in the same position.’
European Parliament president Martin Schulz said: ‘ Cameron’s four-year benefit ban won’t get through. It is not for the EU to accommodate Cameron but the other way around. It is not the EU that has called a referendum.’
Donald Tusk, the European Council president, who chairs meetings of leaders, said: ‘The consultations I have led with all member states shows goodwill of all the parties involved, but it doesn’t change the fact that some parts of the British proposal seem unacceptable.
‘However, if Prime Minister Cameron persuades leaders that we can work together to find solutions regarding all four baskets then we will have a real chance to strike a deal in February.’
Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, said that Brussels bureaucrats were preparing to put a different deal on the table.
Over the dinner, the other countries were expected to make Mr Cameron an alternative offer on immigration – such as a socalled ‘emergency brake’.
This would allow temporary restrictions to be put in place if Britain’s public services become overwhelmed.
On his way into the summit, Mr Cameron said: ‘We’re not pushing for a deal tonight but we’re pushing for real momentum so that we can get this deal done. So I am going to be battling hard for Britain right through the night and I think we’ll be getting a good deal.’