Cameron said he is preparing to consider an EU referendum

[hellheaven1987]

David Cameron is prepared to consider a referendum on the UK's EU relationship, but only when the time is right, he has written in the Sunday Telegraph.

In the article, the prime minister said he wanted a "real choice" for voters but said an immediate in/out referendum was not what most wanted.

The Lib Dems said the article addressed internal Tory divisions, adding there is little public appetite for debate.

Nearly 100 Conservative MPs have called for a poll during the next Parliament.

In a letter to the prime minister, they urged him to make it a legal commitment to hold a vote on the UK's relationship with the EU.

A Liberal Democrat source said Mr Cameron was "perfectly entitled", as Tory party leader, to set out his views on a possible referendum after the 2015 general election.

But, the source said, there is little public appetite "for an abstract discussion about a referendum on an undefined question at an unspecified time in a future parliament".

Labour accused Mr Cameron of engaging in "party management" saying the eurozone crisis was the "big issue".

Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, said there was "a very powerful case" for a referendum if other member states agreed a closer union following the eurozone crisis.

But, he said, the time to decide would come when it was clear how Europe would develop and how the UK's relationship with the EU could be made "better".

Source

I wonder, what is this referendum focus about? It says to decide on "the relationship with EU", but what sore of relationship? Does that mean the UK citizens can decide whether UK should continue in EU, or it is just a referendum of UK's future privileges as an EU member (mean UK would stay in EU but in what form it is as an EU member)?

[Condottiere 40K]

The Brits have to decide if they take a more laidback minimal cooperation relationship, like the Swiss, or get a premier seat to meddle deeper in the EU fundamentals.

[mrmouth]

The Brits have to decide if they take a more laidback minimal cooperation relationship, like the Swiss, or get a premier seat to meddle deeper in the EU fundamentals.

Why do they have to do either? Fence sit and go with the flow.

[hellheaven1987]

But if British continues choosing to maintain current status, EU can also vote to cut UK's privileges right?

[removeduser_487563287433]

No, they EU can't do that. UK is a full member, not a subject to be told the limitations of it's influence. Caneron's hand is just being forced by the encroaching federalism being driven by the eurozone crisis.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Better the UK remains in the EU than going alone... they will just be minimized by US/EU influence, its not the 19th century anymore.

[Invictus XII]

Better the UK remains in the EU than going alone... they will just be minimized by US/EU influence, its not the 19th century anymore.

I wish it was...

vii) Creating a United States of Europe off the back of the near collapse of the Single Currency and associated European financial system seems like a ridiculously stupid thing to do.

Damn straight. The last thing I hope I ever see is a united Europe. Europe's diversity and uniqueness across such a small land mass makes it the greatest place on Earth in my opinion. Not to mention, and this being the most important part, the history and traditions of these unique nations would be destroyed. They would be trading off something much more valuable then keeping Europe financially stable - their identities.

[Jacky B]

Damn straight. The last thing I hope I ever see is a united Europe. Europe's diversity and uniqueness across such a small land mass makes it the greatest place on Earth in my opinion. Not to mention, and this being the most important part, the history and traditions of these unique nations would be destroyed. They would be trading off something much more valuable then keeping Europe financially stable - their identities.

Agreed 100%

[King Gambrinus]

I think this shows us that the Prime Minister has no backbone compared to Bliar or even, dare I say, Brown. His backbenchers have started making noises and suddenly he's scared of UKIP. Labour, on the contrary, completely ignored their backbenchers. I don't know which is worse, but both are just becoming the caricatures of populist, corrupt, sleazy politicians.


As for any serious anti-EU stance, the Lib Dems will never make it happen. And I don't see the Conservatives winning a majority after such a scandalous few months.

Better the UK remains in the EU than going alone... they will just be minimized by US/EU influence, its not the 19th century anymore.

Don't worry, Cameron knows it. Unfortunately a large part of his ignorant, Daily Mail reading electorate doesn't.

[Bobz]

Non-story, Cameron is just trying to placate the anti-EU factions of his party by saying he may support a referendum some time in the future.

[frozenprince]

Typical political double speak "Prepared to Consider" always means "I'm just saying this to appease a portent of my base and other parties."

Just another Politician being political, nothing new here.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Typical political double speak "Prepared to Consider" always means "I'm just saying this to appease a portent of my base and other parties."

Just another Politician being political, nothing new here.

It is a serious issue though, and it would be grossly irresponsible for him to go any further right now in the context of the eurozone crisis, so I have sympathy for his situation.

[Thorn777]

It is a serious issue though, and it would be grossly irresponsible for him to go any further right now in the context of the eurozone crisis, so I have sympathy for his situation.

So bringing it up, circulating in the world press and the markets, at this day and age, is not irresponsible?

Seems more like the usual british gooning once again while manipulating its own gullible population once again.

And yes, good riddance.

[removeduser_487563287433]

So bringing it up, circulating in the world press and the markets, at this day and age, is not irresponsible?

Seems more like the usual british gooning once again while manipulating its own gullible population once again.

And yes, good riddance.

Why do you assume that he's just brought it up? It would be retarded to view this outside of the expanding federalism being pushed by Germany in response to the Eurozone crisis.

[Thorn777]

Why do you assume that he's just brought it up? It would be retarded to view this outside of the expanding federalism being pushed by Germany in response to the Eurozone crisis.

That so called push is forced upon by the likes of Cameron and Obama, since any halfway intelligible person can tell you, you cant have unified debts without unified rules to them.

That Cameron acts shocked after demanding Eurobonds, says it all, but apearently isnt saying anything to the clueless masses.

[Father Jack]

Cameron no doubt has troubling memories of his political ancestor, John Major. Major faced attenuating infighting amongst Eurosceptic Tories in the early to mid 90s, since then the EU has always proved to be a bête noire subject for the Tories. Cameron is merely placating the Eurosceptic elements of his party and whoring himself to a generally Eurosceptic electorate to win brownie points with the Daily Mail and Sun. Will the referendum take place? I doubt it, unless the Tories win a respectable majority in Parliament in 2015. It is always worth remembering that there are Europhiles in the Conservative party too.

[Condottiere 40K]

The EU could implode, and fracture along the Rhine; who will he join? The easy going Latins or the humourless Goths?

[Father Jack]

oh good lord

[magpie]

Its all kite flying by David, He did mention maybe doing something after the next election in the UK.
So I would not put too much store in this story.

[FaultyTerror]

To be honest I'm not sold I need to see details or I think this is just manoeuvring.