Britannia Radio

4 June 2011 12:08 PM

"Gilded cage" that made Cameron see red

UPDATE - Cameron just hammered the plans at his press confernece. He talked out waste and leaders who live in  "gilded cages".

Here's a picture exclusive - and some serious intrigue involving the man who drew up the five tests that kept Britain out of the Europe.

First, the new pic: 

 
 

Here's the cover of a glossy 16-page brochure that was handed to David Cameron when he arrived at the summit dinner last night. Herman Van Rompuy is very proud -  for this is the plan for his new £280 million HQ.

The brochure contains such descriptions as "a humane gathering place" to describe the oak-floored domain of eurocrats from 2014 onwards.

It will look like this - a big bloated Belgian beer belly, some might say.

 

Cameron was appalled. What, asks a UK source, is the EU dooing boasting about a luxurious new headquarters when taxpayers are tightening their belts? And why does the President of the EU need it when he already has a decent HQ?

Here's a clue: The cost was all agreed in 2004 when Tony Blair and others were jockeying to become Europe's first president and they all wanted somewhere nice to move into if they won.

Now for the serious intrigue. Cameron has today appointed Sir Jon Cunliffe to be the UK's permanent rep in Brussels from January 2012.

This is really significant. Cunliffe is a Treasury hard man - he's the guy who drew up Gordon Brown's five tests and kept us out of the euro. His job will be to hold the line for the UK when the next seven-year budget is drafted in the next couple of years.  That means hacking back waste and defending the British rebate from the French. It also means finding ways to get the Common Agtriculture Policy reformed.  The appointment suggests Cameron is serious about reforming the EU's old ways. It is Big News.

But for fun, here are some shots of the "humane gathering place" or "patchwork of European diversity" in all its glory. Enjoy the view - you're paying for it.

 

Joe Murphy