TIME FOR 'CLEVERBALL' by The Waugh Zone

by Paul WAUGH | Opinion

European governments have agreed a deal that will see 120,000 refugees distributed among most EU members states. Although 'agree' is perhaps too strong a word. Unable to reach a unanimous decision, the quota was pushed though on a majority vote. Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary opposed the decision - and they are not happy.

Overriding individual member states on such an issue of national sovereignty is a departure for the EU. Britain, which has a legal opt out, is not obliged to take part. David Cameron will be in Brussels today to for a summit of European leaders called to address the refugee crisis.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, Yvette Cooper, says European leaders "still aren’t doing enough" and must substantially increase support for agencies running camps in Syria.

David Miliband, speaking to Newsnight from New York, gave his take on how Europe should respond to the refugee crisis. "It's not about hardball or softball," he explained. "It's about cleverball." Cleverball having been the working title for the fourth Bond film.

Despite the qualified majority vote by readers opposing it, this morning's Waugh Zone is edited by Ned Simons because I have an opt out. Paul is away.

* Paul Waugh is the Executive Editor, Politics, HuffPost UK.