Cameron: No safeguards means no UK involvement in new Europe

British prime minister David Cameron outlines why he vetoed proposals for greater fiscal integration in Europe in the early hours of Friday morning:

"What is on offer isn't in Britain's interests, so I didn't agree to it.

"Of course, we want the eurozone countries to come together and solve their problems. But we should only allow that to happen inside the European Union treaties if there are proper protections for the single market and for other key British interests.

"Without those safeguards, it is better not to have a treaty within a treaty but to have those countries make their arrangements separately. That is what is now going to happen.

"Britain's interests in the European Union - keeping markets open, free trade, selling our goods and services with rules over which we have a major say - all those things are protected. They don't change.

"But this new round of integration and special powers and surrenders of sovereignty, they will be carried on outside the European Union treaty."

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.