Nick Clegg will step up a Liberal Democrat fightback over Europe in the new year and may even join David Cameron at the next EU summit, the Evening Standard has learned.
Sources say the Deputy Prime Minister, who was dismayed when Mr Cameron used the British veto at the last summit, aims to "set the agenda" at the next EU gathering at the end of next month.
He will start by hosting a meeting of liberal-minded ministers from other European states in London on January 9 to build common ground. Up to 25 ministers from eight or more countries will gather in Whitehall, including senior Lib-Dem ministers Vince Cable, Danny Alexander and Chris Huhne.
Mr Clegg may attend an eve-of-summit gathering of liberal sister parties before an informal summit called to discuss growth and competition issues, with the aim of getting "a head of steam" behind pro-growth ideas that Britain favours.
More controversially, sources say he is considering going to the summit itself, due to start on January 27. Such a move would alarm Conservative MPs who were thrilled when Mr Cameron vetoed a new EU treaty this month while Mr Clegg was at home in Britain.
Tensions over the use of the veto were continuing this morning. It was hailed as a diplomatic coup by a group of 20 leading business figures, including the Tory donor Sir Anthony Bamford, in a letter to the FT.
A separate survey of senior members of the Institute of Directors claimed 77 per cent backed Mr Cameron's stand. However, Energy Secretary Mr Huhne warned that Tory Eurosceptics could make Britain "semi-detached" from Europe.
"It is not in the national interest to be in a purely passive relationship, where our interests are being determined by other people," he said, adding: "The phrase in Brussels is clear - if you are not at the table, you are on the menu."
A source close to Mr Clegg said the Coalition had not yet discussed whether he would take part in the summit. In the Commons this week he hinted that he wanted to take part.
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"We, as a coalition Government, will come to that summit with some bold ideas about how we can increase growth, increase competitiveness and increase employment across the European Union," he said. In a jibe at Mr Cameron's veto, he added: "And - yes - we will stay until the end."
"Nick's key concerns are competitiveness, long term growth and jobs in the EU," said a source. "That is an agenda that the coalition as a whole wants to pursue." Meanwhile, French foreign minister Alain Juppe last night called for "calm" in Anglo-French relations after the criticisms of each other's economies. "I don't think the bridges are broken," he said.
