Brexit and the UK demands vie for summit attention
Migration was supposed to top the agenda for EU leaders at their December summit now under way in Brussels, but Mr David Cameron is keen to make sure the British question takes its share of the limelight.
The UK referendum on EU membership, due by 2017 though maybe in line for this coming new year, is providing the main flashpoint, and probably also, for some, a not unwelcome distraction for some from the very difficult migration issues which should be the summit's focal point.
Prime Minister David Cameron has made a series of demands to the summit which have been declared 'unacceptable' by other leaders such as French President Francois Hollande.
Mr Cameron has promised his electorate that he will negotiate a series of opt-outs from EU policy for the UK, before he brings the prospect of "Brexit" to a vote.
The four areas where he says he wants to see reform, or opt-out, include an end to Britain’s obligation in the EU treaties to foster "ever close union", a cut in EU 'red tape' in order to improve the Union's economic competitiveness, and a recognition that the EU is a "multi-currency union", giving greater protections for non-Euro countries, so that the British pound is treated on the same level as the Euro.
There is little doubt that the first three are surmountable, and that the leaders should - after the usual political to-ing and fro-ing for the media and people back home - find acceptable solutions.
The fourth demand, however, is a thorny issue for the UK's partners, being related to intra-EU mobility and migration, and the question of whether benefits - such as social housing or child welfare payments - will be paid to migrants working in Britain, and other Member States, in the first years of arrival – the first four years being Mr Cameron's stated aim.
This is a highly contentious issue because it is both discriminatory and at odds with the bloc's core principle of free movement.
Mr Cameron is therefore unlikely to reach a deal on this issue at the December summit.
It is more likely that it will be postponed, at least to the next February summit, with tough discussions taking place in the meantime.
A degree of political theatre if if course a prerequisite for the electorate back home, with Mr Cameron showing how tough he is as he fights for British interests, while others just as keen to show that they do not easily roll over.
Despite the political theatre, a compromise will probably be found. But the outcome is not certain, especially if it involves changing the EU treaties, or changing the principles of non-discrimination against other EU nationals.
