**The Conservatives’ stance on the EU has been attacked as a “pathetic” move that will “castrate” UK influence in Europe, a French government minister has said.**France’s minister for Europe Pierre Lellouche said EU leaders would not help the Tories re-negotiate treaties.
He was responding in the Guardian to David Cameron’s vow that “never again” would powers be transferred from the UK to Brussels without a referendum.
He was outlining his new policy after ruling out a Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Mr Cameron said all future treaties would be put to a public vote.
He also promised a sovereignty bill if the Tories win the next election to “lock in” the supremacy of UK laws.
And the Tory leader vowed to repatriate powers on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, employment and criminal law.
Mr Lellouche told the Guardian: “It’s pathetic. It’s just very sad to see Britain, so important in Europe, just cutting itself out from the rest and disappearing from the radar map.”
“They have essentially castrated your UK influence in the European parliament,” he added.