mick silver
30th June 2012, 11:52 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2166663/As-Eurozone-agree-bank-bailout-Cameron-says-doesn-t-want-referendum-Britain-s-EU-membership.html ... PM's refusal despite Europe one step close to being a 'superstate'But Cameron acknowledges there might have to be a 're-negotiationTories worried Eurosceptics could switch to UKIPBy Jason GrovesPUBLISHED: 13:36 EST, 29 June 2012 | UPDATED: 21:35 EST, 29 June 2012 Comments (989) Share David Cameron yesterday ruled out an in/out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, despite growing demands for one from his own MPs.Speaking after a marathon Brussels summit that saw European leaders take a significant step towards the creation of a superstate, the Prime Minister mounted his strongest defence yet of Britain’s membership of the EU.He acknowledged that the creation of a powerful new fiscal union would have ‘consequences for Britain’ and suggested that some renegotiation of our relationship with the EU may be needed in the future. But he explicitly ruled out the in/out referendum demanded by many of his MPs. No: Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has stuck to his guns and ruled out a referendum in England on EU membershipDescribing himself as a ‘realistic, optimistic Eurosceptic’, he gave a robust defence of Britain’s membership of the EU, saying three million jobs depended on it.He said: ‘I completely understand why some people want an in/out referendum – some people just want to get out and say, stop the bus I want to get off. I completely understand that but I don’t share that view. I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. More...'Something went very wrong with UK banking and we need to put it right': B of E boss Mervyn King launches stinging attack on top banks but rejects Ed Miliband's calls for Leveson-style inquiry Italy claims second victory over Germany in 24 hours after Euro leaders hammer out bail-out deal against Merkel's wishes ‘The problem with an in/out referendum is it only gives people those two choices – you can either stay in or you can get. Most people in Britain want a government that stands up and fights for them in Europe and gets the things we want in Europe, that changes some of the relationship we have in Europe. I’ve made some small steps towards that – we used to be part of the bailout schemes, I got us out and that has saved us real money. There are other things I would like us to get out of. That’s the trouble with the in/out – it only gives you two options.’ Many Tories are worried Eurosceptics could switch their allegiance to the UK Independence PartyMr Cameron has privately asked senior ministers for their views on whether the Tories should pledge a referendum in the next manifesto. His comments suggest any vote would not be a simple in/out choice.Many Tories are worried that increasingly Eurosceptic voters could switch to the UK Independence Party unless the Prime Minister toughens his stance.There are also fears that Ed Miliband could offer an opportunistic pledge to hold a referendum in order to outflank the Tories.Mr Cameron’s comments came just 48 hours after 100 Conservative MPs wrote to him urging him to legislate immediately for a referendum on Britain’s relationship with Europe, so that a public vote can be held straight after the 2015 election.The MPs, who represent more than half of all backbench Tories, said there was ‘ a consistent majority in this country who believe that the EU meddles too much in our everyday lives, that the regulation on our businesses is too burdensome, and that the cost of membership is far too high’.Tory MP Peter Bone, who signed the letter, last night said Mr Cameron was ‘on the wrong side of the argument’.He added: ‘The Prime Minister is out of touch on this. He is on the wrong side of the argument with his own party and with the public, which is a dangerous place to be for a Conservative prime minister on this issue.’ Mr Cameron insisted he was not at loggerheads with his backbenchers over Europe, saying: ‘I completely share their view.’ He acknowledged that the drive for fiscal union in the Eurozone was changing Britain’s relationship with Europe, but insisted he could secure the safeguards needed to protect British interests. Staying strong: Cameron believes it is more important to safeguard Britain's interests and has ruled out a referendum on membership of the EU‘Europe is changing,’ he said. ‘There’s a change taking place as the countries of the Eurozone follow the remorseless logic of having a single currency. 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 EU, our access to the single market, our say in the single market is comprehensively safeguarded.‘But this is going to be something that is going to evolve over a whole series of years as they countries realise what has to be done and as we fight for the safeguards and the position that we need.‘Britain is not going to cede more powers to Brussels and I’ve often argued there are powers that should be going in the other direction. This is going to be an unfolding story but one where I think Britain has every chance of securing the sort of relationship we want in Europe.‘Britain is not going to cede more powers to Brussels and I’ve often argued there are powers that should be going in the other direction. 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