Yes, that’s right. Tory MEP for East of England Christopher Beazley, has told the Today Program that he is quiting the Conservative Party and is joining the EPP has a full member.
He gives his reasons as follows:
There will be no discussions with Angela Merkel, with President Sarkozy, with all the other conservative leaders. Remember, with enlargement we have now got the Scandinavians, the Balts, the Poles, all of them - around the Baltic Sea every one has a conservative prime minister. None of them will be talking to David Cameron if he goes ahead and leaves.
I am going to be joining the EPP as a full member as a demonstration that I think the Conservative position should be to stay.
Source: FT Westminsiter Blog
David Cameron won’t be pleased at this and it seams his move to pull out of the EPP-ED is not sitting well with the Pro-European wing of the party.
His point on the grouping of the Prime Ministers is a good one as after the EU Summit last week, the Irish Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, appeared at the Press Conference for ELDR heads of states. This made him appear part of a larger group where he can have influence, unlike within the UEN where he is the only head of state. Will that be the way for a Conservative Prime Minister of the UK, all alone in the cold?
The one strange thing about the move, is that Beazley is standing down at the June elections so this move seams to be a bit symbolic, but to me it makes a fair point.
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Problem is that Beazley is retiring in June and has long been in a rather small minority among the Tory MEPs. He’s a decent man but can’t hope to change the Tories’ EU policy.
I noticed that he is retiring in June Jon making this move symbolic, but among the Tory MEP’s in the EP does he hold any influence?
Mark Mardell has a good post about it http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2009/03/tories_look_for_new_partners.html
[...] was just getting confusing, and will be vey strange coming up towards the elections. But anyway the latest post is on Tory MEP Christopher Beazley joining the EPP. Give it and read and please rate [...]
How come Cowen was speaking at a ELDR press conference when he is a member of the UEN? I appreciate some in Fianna Fail are uncomfortable with the UEN and it’s future is uncertain, so is this part of a joint courtship process?
Frank, I think Cowen and the ALDE are looking at the move as a Fait Accompli. The only person against as I can see is Brian Crowley as he has the most to lose (leadership perks).
How could you be so cynical about Brian Crowley, Stephen! Isn’t he a fellow Cork man?
Presumably it will be easier for Fianna Fail to join the EPP if the Tories leave?
He may be a fellow Corkman, but hes in the opposing team!
Fianna Fail can’t join EPP as Fine Gael would veto it! Thank gods!
Can Fine Gael veto, and aren’t they more or less interchangeable with Fianna Fail anyway>….runs away fast…
Of course they can veto! PD’s were veteoing FF out of the ELDR hence why they are only joining now!
Enda Kenny is currently one of the Vice Presidents of the EPP.
Not going there on the last comment