The leader of Britain's opposition Conservatives said on Tuesday his party's planned exit from the European Parliament's biggest political group would improve ties with centre-right governments in Europe, Reuters reported. David Cameron, who has reinvigorated his traditionally eurosceptic party since his election as leader last November, said he believed in an open, trading Europe but opposed a European Union constitution or a more federal bloc. He said this conflicted with the view of the Strasbourg Parliament's European People's Party (EPP), comprising Christian Democrat and conservative lawmakers from the 25-member union, so his party's 27 members would seek a new grouping. "It's a matter of consistency and clarity," Cameron told reporters. "I think it would be better, instead of being a reluctant tenant, to be a friendly neighbour." "I know it has caused unease and concern but I think this is a change for the better and in the long run will strengthen relations between the British Conservative Party and other conservative parties in Europe," Cameron said. He said French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, a possible successor to President Jacques Chirac, had understood his view. --More 21 12 Local Time 18 12 GMT
