Nick Clegg is being lined up for a top EU job in an “emergency exit” strategy as he faces a revolt in his party over tuition fees. David Cameron is ready to parachute the Lib Dem leader into Brussels as Britain’s EU Commissioner amid fears Mr Clegg will struggle to hold his seat as an MP at the next election, say Downing Street sources. The Deputy PM would replace Labour peer Baroness Ashton in the post which carries a £239,000 salary and perks package worth another £100,000 a year. The Foreign Affairs chief is due to stand down with the other EU Commissioners in October 2014 – just ahead of the next general election in May 2015, though there is speculation she could quit sooner. A Downing Street source revealed: “David Cameron owes Nick Clegg a huge debt for coming into the coalition and taking a massive personal hit over tuition fees. “If it looks like he will lose his Sheffield Hallam seat, there will be an emergency exit strategy which could see him land one of the big jobs in Brussels. He would be an excellent choice to replace Cathy Ashton and he would jump at the chance.” Mr Clegg’s appointment would have to be rubber-stamped by EU chiefs, but Mr Cameron would have a big say in choosing Britain’s representative. The disclosure came amid fears among Lib Dem insiders that Mr Clegg will be targeted by students determined to oust him from his seat – despite his 15,284 majority at the last election. Government sources admit that Mr Clegg’s popularity has plunged and bookies William Hill yesterday cut the odds on him quitting as Lib Dem leader before the next election to 7/4. Friends of Mr Clegg say he would “jump at the chance” of an eventual return to Brussels, where he met his wife Miriam while they worked for Tory EU Commissioner Lord Brittan. Mr Clegg spent five years in Brussels before becoming a Euro-MP in 1999, staying in that post until 2004. One ally of Mr Clegg’s said: “Nick is fiercely pro-European and speaks Dutch, French, German and Spanish. I’m sure the Commission would welcome him with open arms.” vincent.moss@sundaymirror.co.uk
Mirror
Unpopular Nick Clegg may have to leg it to the EU
Tuition fees anger puts Lib Dem leader's seat at riskEXCLUSIVE by Vincent Moss, Political Editor 12/12/2010
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Sunday, 12 December 2010
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/12/12/unpopular-nick-clegg-may-have-to-leg-it-to-the-eu-115875-22777683/
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