Blair Battles for Britain's EU Rebate in Vienna

In a tense standoff at the European Union finance ministers' conference in Vienna, Prime Minister Tony Blair is fighting to retain Britain's annual £2 billion rebate, a concession secured by Margaret Thatcher in 1984. Germany's Finance Minister "Red" Oskar LaFontaine has led the charge against the rebate, calling for its reduction, while Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson has echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the British government should pay its own way. However, Blair remains firm, emphasizing that the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is a major drain on the EU budget and that Britain is the second-largest contributor after Germany.

Key Takeaways:

• Tony Blair is fighting to retain Britain's annual £2 billion EU rebate, a concession secured by Margaret Thatcher in 1984.
• Germany's Finance Minister "Red" Oskar LaFontaine has called for the reduction of the British rebate, while Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson has suggested that Britain should pay its own way.
• Blair argues that the EU's Common Agricultural Policy eats up half of the £60 billion EU budget and does not benefit British farmers.
• Blair claims that if the rebate is abolished, Britain would be paying a disproportionate contribution to the EU, where it is currently the second-largest contributor after Germany.
• The conference in Vienna comes as 11 EU states prepare to introduce the Euro, the first stage of the European single currency, in January, heightening concerns that Britain may be left behind if it delays joining.
• Blair is building alliances with other European countries to secure the best deal for Britain and Europe in the future.

Statistics:

• The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy accounts for half of the £60 billion EU budget.
• Britain is the second-largest contributor to the EU, after Germany.
• The British rebate is worth £2 billion per year.
• 11 EU states, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands, plan to introduce the Euro in January, marking the first stage of the European single currency.

Sources:

• The Independent (no date)
• GMTV interview with Tony Blair (no date)