23/01/2013

Cameron Pledges In/Out Referendum On EU

The Prime Minister has promised, that should the Conservatives win the elections, an in/out referendum on EU membership, saying that Britons must "have their say" on Europe.

David Cameron said he wanted to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the EU, before giving the "simple choice" of a vote on accepting the result of the talks or leaving the EU.

Labour leader Ed Milliband however said the PM "is going to put Britain through years of uncertainty, and take a huge gamble with our economy."

In his long-awaited speech Mr Cameron pledged to hold a referendum during the early part of the next parliament - by the end of 2017 at the latest - if the Conservatives win the next general election.

He said it would be a decision on the UK's "destiny" and, if he secured a new relationship he was happy with, he would campaign "heart and soul" to stay within the EU.

"It is time for the British people to have their say," he said. "It is time to settle this European question in British politics. I say to the British people: this will be your decision."

The news was welcomed by eurosceptics who have long campaigned for a vote, however France and Germany both warned the UK could not "cherry pick" EU membership.

(H)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 September 2014
British Council Wales To Run New EU Training And Volunteer Scheme
A new European Union training and volunteering scheme for young people at the British Council Wales is to create more than 50 jobs in Cardiff. The UK arm of Erasmus+, will offer opportunities to more than 30,000 young people under the new scheme. The British Council will run the scheme in partnership with Ecorys UK from the private sector.
23 August 2007
EU Ban On British Meat To Be Lifted
The export ban on British meat and animal products is to be lifted on Saturday. While the ban will be lifted, a 10km zone ban will remain in place around the Surrey sites at the centre of the original source of the outbreak. Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the lifting of the ban imposed following the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak.
31 August 2004
EU enlargement has not led to British businesses relocating: survey
The predicted relocation of British businesses to Eastern Europe following the expansion of the European Union has failed to materialise, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD).
24 June 2014
UK Flights Affected By Air Traffic Control Strike
A number of flights in Britain have been disrupted as a result of an air traffic controllers' strike in France. Major delays have occurred at airports, while other flights have been cancelled. It is the first day of industrial action which is being staged in protest against budget cuts.
03 September 2013
Body Recovered In Australia Believed To Be Missing Briton
Authorities in Australia searching for a missing British man have found a body while searching in bushland in the Blue Mountains region. 23-year-old Gary Tweddle, a computer salesman from Reading, was last seen in July when he attended a business conference in Leura, west of Sydney.