- in order to protect migration rules
German magazine Der Spiegel has reported that Chancellor Merkel would rather see the UK exit from the European Union than compromise over the principle of free movement of workers.
Merkel is alleged to have noted in recent conversations with Cameron that the UK is approaching a “point of no return” but Cameron’s office would not comment on the reports.
The UK PM wants to renegotiate the terms of the UK’s continued membership before holding an in-out referendum in 2017 and has previously said that freedom of movement would be “at the very heart of my renegotiation strategy for Europe”, but Merkel is said by the magazine to have made clear she will withdraw her support for the UK’s continued EU membership if he continues to push for migration reform.
The politicking will only increase between here and next year’s UK election with Cameron due to make a key note speech before Xmas on the migration issue
The BBC carries more here
Merkel and Cameron-no compromise over free movement of labour
