David Cameron hailed as ‘heir to Margaret Thatcher’
DAVID CAMERON was hailed as the “heir to Thatcher” yesterday after MPs said his success in forcing the EU’s first budget cut will save every British household £150.
The Prime Minister was cheered by Tory backbenchers as he told the House of Commons Britain had finally put the brakes on the Brussels gravy train.
But he warned that British MEPs from all parties must back the deal to ensure it is agreed by the European Parliament.
He led talks in Brussels on Friday when EU leaders agreed a 908billion euros (£768billion) budget limit for 2014 to 2020 – a cut of about three per cent.
The figure was £29billion less than the last budget and £67billion less than the £835billion demanded by the European Commission.
Cuts include a £1.7billion reduction in administration costs and a two-year pay freeze for bureaucrats.
Mr Cameron told MP’s: “It is a good deal for Britain, a good deal for Europe and above all a good deal for all our taxpayers.
“I would encourage every MEP from right across the United Kingdom to support this budget.”
He said he had fended off repeated attacks on Britain’s rebate.
Tory backbencher Peter Bone said the Prime Minister was no longer the “heir to Blair”, but the “heir to Margaret Thatcher”.
Fellow Tory MP Mark Reckless said Mr Cameron’s deal would save every household in the UK £150.
Meanwhile, shadow chancellor Ed Balls has warned Labour would be “stupid” to fight the next election opposing a referendum on EU membership.