Cameron rejects Tory calls for referendum on Europe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron rejected demands for an “in or out” referendum on Europe today as he vowed to fight to maintain Britain’s influence in a rapidly changing European Union.
The Prime Minister risked further strife with Conservative Eurosceptics by talking up the “real benefit” of EU engagement a day after 100 Tory MPs urged him to promise a referendum on Britain’s relationship with Europe following the 2015 election.
At a press conference in Brussels, Mr Cameron described himself as a “practical Eurosceptic” who completely understood why some people wanted an “in or out” referendum. But it was not “the right thing to do”.
But he was careful to leave the door open to an eventual referendum on the new Europe that emerges as the 17 eurozone nations press ahead with banking, fiscal and political union in the next few years.
The Prime Minister said: “Europe is changing. There is a change taking place as the countries of the eurozone follow the remorseless logic of having a single currency but having 17 different finance ministries and all the rest of it. They need to change and they recognise that.
“That change has consequences for Britain. My job is to make sure we secure all the safeguards that we need so that our role in the European Union, our access to the single market, our say in the single market, is properly safeguarded.”
Mr Cameron’s words are unlikely to quell Tory demands for a referendum.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments