Britain could be ‘isolated and marginalised’ by the European Union after vetoing a treaty aimed at ending the euro debt crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Sunday. The Liberal Democrat party leader’s comments saw him officially breaking ranks with Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, who was responsible for the veto at a summit in Brussels on Friday.
“I am bitterly disappointed by the outcome of last week’s summit, precisely because I think there is now a real danger that over time the United Kingdom will be isolated and marginalised within the European Union,” Clegg told the BBC. “I think a Britain which leaves the EU will be considered to be irrelevant by Washington and will be considered a pygmy in the world when I want us to stand tall and lead in the world,” he said.