Corbett slams opportunistic Cameron's 'lies and 'distortions' on EU Treaty
Labour's European spokesperson on the EU Treaty, Richard Corbett MEP, today criticised Tory leader David Cameron for promoting "lies and distortions" to the British people on the proposed Reform Treaty.
In an interview with BBC Radio at the Conservative Party conference, Cameron accused Prime Minister Gordon Brown of a 'breach of trust' and renewed calls for a referendum on the proposed Treaty.
Richard said: "Fundamental to trust in politics is honesty in debate. Yet Cameron's arguments on the treaty have consistently been dishonest and profoundly misleading.
"In the past few weeks the Conservatives have claimed that the treaty would see Britain lose its seat on the UN Security Council and hand over powers to ' Brussels ' bureaucrats. These are completely untrue. If they were true, I myself would not support the treaty"
Commenting on recent opinion polls showing that Cameron's ratings as Tory leader are at an all-time low, Richard added: "The sad truth is that the Cameron is behind in the polls and feels the need to appeal to the Europhobes in his party to shore up support for his faltering leadership.
"Rarely has the standard of political debate in the UK fallen to such a low level where baseless myths are portrayed as fact. There is a real need for a well-informed debate on Britain 's role within the EU but the lies and distortions trotted out by Cameron's Conservatives are making this less likely". // ENDS
- Richard Corbett is Deputy Leader of the Labour MEPs and represents Yorkshire and the Humber
- He is also spokesperson on Constitutional Affairs for the Labour MEPs and the Socialist Group.
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