Tories to make themselves powerless and isolated in the EU

6.38.10pm GMT Wed 11th Mar 2009

Today, the British Conservative Party MEPs decided to quit their party alliance in the European Parliament.

Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP, speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today said:

"I am saddened that the British Conservative MEPs are to leave their party alliance in the European Parliament after some twenty years of sitting together with other centre-right politicians.

"The significance is that it will mean greatly reduced influence for Britain when the parliament is shaping and passing EU laws on trade, the environment, agriculture, and everything else.

"British Conservative MEPs will sit in future in a small rump at the back of the parliament's chamber and so they will be unable to use the leverage they have had up till now as members of the parliament's largest political grouping.

"It is a tragedy for Britain. Liberal Democrat and Labour MEPs will have to work even harder to fight for Britain."