Setting out the last of his six so-called “red line” policies which will not be compromised, he told the Independent on Sunday that it would in fact be a “green line” on the environment – including carbon emission reduction targets and a strong stance at the Paris climate talks later this year.
It means that despite the Lib Dems’ strong pro-European reputation, the issue of an EU referendum will not be one of the party’s key “ideals”, and Mr Clegg refused to rule out agreeing to accept the Tories’ own “red line” on a referendum in exchange for his own policy demands.
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Appearing on the Andrew Marr Show, the Lib Dem leader was told that his party’s supporters would be listening to him and thinking he was likely to come out of talks having supported a referendum.
Mr Clegg suggested his own “red lines” were “much more important” than issues like Europe, and said: “Before I address anyone else’s red lines I would address mine.”
He later told ITV News: “Of course we will argue for all the things in our manifesto. I accept, as a grown up politician, that if no one wins outright there is give and take about what is included in a coalition government agreement.
“I couldn’t have been clearer about the things I will not compromise on, and beyond that it really is up to the British people to tell the politicians and political parties what kind of mandate they have to insist on their red lines.”
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Mr Clegg said David Cameron and the Ukip leader Nigel Farage had become “totally interchangeable on their particular preoccupations on Europe”.
Also appearing on the Andrew Marr Show, Mr Farage said he would seek to “drive the agenda” in the House of Commons and fight for a “full, free and fair referendum” on the EU.
He said he wasn’t looking to go into coalition with anybody himself, but added: “I’m quite certain that if Nick Clegg wants to be Deputy Prime Minister next time around, that he will change his mind and support and EU referendum.”
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