| UK Conservative MEPs Daniel Hannan and Roger Helmer have stepped down as party spokesmen following David Cameron's decision not to call a referendum on the Lisbon treaty, reports the Guardian. The British Conservative leader has instead insisted he will "renegotiate" Britain's relationship with the EU and create a constitutional court to vet European legislation should he win office, says the Times. However, the Guardian says MEPs were puzzled by Cameron's promises, claiming the terms he is asking for already exist for Britain in its existing opt-outs.Martin Schulz, the leader of the EU parliament's Socialist group, said, "All member states including the UK have ratified the treaty. If Cameron is talking of renegotiating it has little to do with reality and much more to do with election campaigning." "We have had 10 years of institutional debate and now is the time to talk about practical cooperation. We don't need another 10 years of institutional debate," said German MEP Elmar Brok.TheParliament.com carries comments from ALDE deputy Andrew Duff, who said, "The true British interest lies in playing a full part within the stronger and more democratic EU that is brought about by Lisbon." Meanwhile the Telegraph reports French Europe minister Pierre Lellouche has labelled Cameron's plan "pathetic and autistic" and warned it will leave Britain isolated.
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