Cameron Rejects PMQs Attacks Over EU Veto

David Cameron defended his decision to veto an EU treaty when he took the final Prime Minister's Questions of the year, amid mounting tension with his coalition partners.

He faced a rough ride in the Commons as Liberal Democrats continue to vent their anger over his EU treaty veto.

Labour leader Ed Miliband attacked his negotiating strategy and urged him to return to the table.

But Mr Cameron flatly rejected the Opposition's concerns.

Referring to Nick Clegg, he made a quip at the Labour leader's expense: "It's not that bad, it's not like we're brothers or anything."

Last night Liberal Democrat MPs abstained en masse rather than back a motion congratulating Mr Cameron on protecting British interests.

The supportive statement, written by the DUP , was voted through by 278 votes to 200.

The snub came after Energy Secretary Chris Huhne accused him of "isolating" the UK and "playing Billy no-mates".

This morning the Deputy Prime Minister held talks with business figures and stressed his determination to "rebuild bridges" with Europe.

He then sat alongside Mr Cameron at PMQs - unlike on Monday when he was conspicuously absent from the front bench as the Tory leader made a statement to MPs.

Despite the continuing fallout, Mr Cameron will be encouraged by opinion polls suggesting his hardline stance has gone down well with voters.

Research by YouGov for The Sun gave the Tories a two-point lead over Labour - the party's first in a year - putting them on 41% to the Opposition's 39%.

A ComRes/Independent poll found the parties were neck-and-neck on 38%.

Liberal Democrat ministers made their displeasure clear on Tuesday when the Cabinet met for the first time since the controversial veto.

Mr Huhne reportedly complained "proper procedures" for negotiations had not been followed.

He is said to have argued that, as chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee on European affairs, he should have been consulted during the summit as well as beforehand.

He also apparently broke convention by twice interrupting Mr Cameron as he summed up his talks with fellow EU leaders last week.

At a meeting of Lib Dem MPs last night, Mr Huhne declared "isolation is not a good position" and "playing Billy no-mates is no fun".

Aides of Mr Clegg said he was given a warm reception by his rank-and-file at the two-hour session.

He stressed his determination to "re-engage constructively" with Europe but said it was "essential" to remain in the coalition government.