Romford MP Andrew Rosindell on defying Tory whip to defeat PM on Europe

Eurosceptic Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, who was one of 51 rebel Tories to defy the party whip and vote against freezing Britain’s EU budget last week, has spoken out about his decision.

“I think for far too long we’ve been paying huge sums of money to the EU, and I don’t think we can justify it when we’re making cuts to police, armed forces and public services,” he said.

David Cameron had instructed his MPs to vote in favour of freezing the EU budget in real terms between 2014 and 2020, which would mean an increase year-on-year. But 51 Conservative MPs helped Labour vote through an amendment to cut the EU budget in real terms.

“To be expected to increase our payments to the EU by five or six per cent is completely outrageous and unjustifiable,” added Mr Rosindell.

“I think it’s time to say: ‘We should cut what we pay the EU, and we’re already paying far more than we should be paying.’

“We’ve got to move on from being straitjacketed by the EU and built stronger relationships around the world. I don’t believe we should create a ‘united states of Europe’ where the EU is making decisions every day that really we should be making ourselves.

“It’s far too centralised and bureaucratic. There’s never been a referendum to agree this, and I think we need a completely new relationship with Europe.”