The text of David Cameron’s statement on the European Summit was clearly designed as balm for the coalition’s wounds. He devoted a large chunk of it to defending Britain’s membership of the European Union in a clear effort to reassure the Lib Dems about the future direction of European policy. But this effort was rather undermined by the absence of the deputy Prime Minister. This was, predictably, the story of the session. In response to repeated Labour questions about where Clegg was, Cameron replied ‘I’m not responsible for his whereabouts. I’m sure he is working very hard.’
Nick Clegg has now given a TV interview in which he has escalated the coalition divide over Europe. He told the networks, ‘The Prime Minister and I clearly do not agree on the outcome of the summit last week’. The doctrine of Cabinet collective responsibility now seems to be more honoured in the breach.
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