Partner Article

PM will consider referendum on Europe

The Prime Minister is prepared to consider holding a referendum on the state of the UK’s relationship with Europe, when the time is right.

His comments have also been supported by the foreign secretary William Hague, who agreed that there might be a “very powerful” case for an EU referendum if member states were to agree to a closer union.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Hague said: “What the prime minister is saying is that the time to decide on a referendum or in a general election on our relationship with Europe is when we know how Europe is going to develop over the coming months and years to the eurozone crisis.”

Eurozone states are expected to form a closer union as they attempt to solve the crisis, and when this happens and if it appears that it will allow the UK to foster a better relationship with Europe, “that is the time to make the case for a referendum or, if there is a clear division between the parties, to decide in a general election”.

A number of Conservative MP believe that the Government should make a legal commitment to hold a vote on the UK’s relationship with the EU in the next parliament.

John Baron MP recently sent a letter to Mr Cameron signed by 100 MPs, indicating that he was “saddened” by his failure to promise a referendum.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .