05.07.13
EU referendum bill returns to Commons
MPs are voting today on an in-out EU referendum to be held in 2017. The bill, introduced by Tory MP James Wharten, will see its second reading in the House of Commons.
Labour is reportedly considering a pre-2015 date for a referendum, the Guardian suggested, although Party Leader Ed Miliband has said there is no need to make a decision now.
Prime Minister David Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of the UK’s membership with the EU before holding a referendum after the next general election.
He has previously warned: “Leaving the EU is not in our national interest. Outside, we would end up like Norway, subject to every rule for the single market made in Brussels but unable to shape those rules.
“Believe me, if we weren’t in there helping write the rules they would be written without us – the biggest supporter of open markets and free trade – and we would not like the outcome.”
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The right thing to do is to seek a mandate for that renegotiation and then for the referendum. That's what's going to be in the Conservative party manifesto.”
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