Liberal leadership rivals back EU reform treaty

Two former MEPs who are rivals in the UK Liberal Democrat leadership contest have thrown their weight behind the controversial EU reform treaty.

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne were both speaking at a specially-convened debate in parliament on Tuesday.

Clegg, frontrunner in the race, said, “We should argue for the merits of the treaty which I believe are very strong.

“The proposals and changes it contains should be welcomed by everyone," said Clegg, who co-founded the Campaign for Parliamentary Reform.

He was an MEP from 1999 to 2002.

He warned, however, that the British opt-out from the charter of fundamental rights will be used as “rod to beat” the UK government.

His comments were echoed by Huhne, who said the treaty was a “step in the right direction.”

However, he told an audience of MEPs, journalists, local Liberal activists and lobbyists that the  EU still had work to do in bridging the so-called ‘democratic deficit” with citizens.

“For instance, the court of auditors has just failed to give the EU accounts a clean bill of health. This is not adequate," said Huhne, an MEP from 1999 to 2005.

The event was chaired by Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE group in parliament.

The new Lib Dem leader will be announced on 18 December.

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