Cameron ignored, as Tories change leader in Europe
Meanwhile, the Europhile Robert Atkins was ousted by Phillip Bushell-Matthews as Deputy Leader.
However, both candidates refused to back Tory leader David Cameron's pledge to withdraw from the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), causing Dan Hannan, the most anti-European Tory MEP, to abstain in the leadership vote.
Commenting on the news, Richard Corbett, Deputy Leader of the Labour MEPs, said:
"The Conservative delegation has tonight taken a further lurch to the Eurosceptic right by replacing the moderate Kirkhope with Giles Chichester. The ousting of Robert Atkins as Deputy Leader shows that the Europhobes have taken control of the Tory delegation.
"Yet, the real story is that neither candidate, including the highly Eurosceptic Chichester, was prepared to back their party leader on EPP withdrawal. This again shows that despite Cameron's populism on Europe, he is a leader not being followed."
"Both the Europhile and the Europhobe wings of his MEP group realise that leaving the EPP Group in the European Parliament is folly, condemning them to impotent isolation."
more information
Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP
- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
© 2003-2006 Richard Corbett MEP