Baldry hits out at lack of support for Cameron over EU (From Oxford Mail)

Baldry hits out at lack of support for Cameron over EU

10:50am Friday 2nd November 2012 in Countywide

DAVID Cameron’s negotiating powers in Europe could be weakened without the support of his party, Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry warned last night.

The veteran Tory politician was one of the most vocal MPs pleading for party unity ahead of Wednesday’s vote on EU funding, which has been dubbed an embarrassment for Witney MP Mr Cameron.

Rebel Tory MPs forced a vote calling for a real-terms cut in the EU’s budget.

Mr Cameron had previously said he favoured a cut but would settle for a budget freeze.

Fifty-three Tory MPs defied the party whip to back the call for a cut, which was also supported by the opposition.

Speaking after the vote, Sir Tony said: “The only people who benefited from this was Labour.

“ They will go away and say the vote helped to undermine the Prime Minister’s position.

“It seems to me that during the course of these negotiations, the Prime Minister is entitled to expect the support of his own back-benches.”

Oxfordshire’s four other Tory MPs Nicola Blackwood, John Howell, Ed Vaizey and the Prime Minister voted against the motion, with Labour MP for Oxford East Andrew Smith voting for.