February 11, 2016 8:41am by David Farrar

The UK EU deal

The Telegraph reports:

Cabinet ministers are threatening to defy David Cameron by publicly speaking out against his deal with the European Union, which they are warning will fail to cut migration.

The Prime Minister was handed an offer on Tuesday by Brussels which critics said contained only “watered-down” pledges. The deal will give EU migrants “gradually increasing access” to benefits after they come to the UK – as opposed to the outright ban Mr Cameron had previously demanded.

Despite critics describing the deal as “pathetic” and “insubstantial”, Mr Cameron welcomed the offer by Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, and said he “sure would” take the deal being offered.

Last night Cabinet sources accused Mr Cameron of effectively beginning the campaign for Britain to stay in the EU and warned that they will now start speaking out in favour of a “Brexit”.

Cameron has in fact managed to get some reasonable concessions. It remains to be seen whether the electorate judge them to be enough.

But in a boost to him, Theresa May has said she will now campaign to remain in. She was seen as a potential leader for an out campaign.

The main points of the deal are:

An emergency brake will limit migrants’ access to benefits for four years
New powers to stop suspected terrorists and criminals coming to the UK, not only if a threat is “imminent”
New rules will stop people coming to the UK via “sham marriages”
Recognises that the UK “is not committed to further political integration into the European Union”
A “red card” system will allow the House of Commons to band together with like-minded EU parliaments and block unwanted Brussels legislation