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David Cameron hints EU referendum could be held next summer David Cameron hints EU referendum could be held next summer
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has signalled that the UK will stage its referendum on membership of the European Union in 2016 and made clear that continued membership was vital not just to economic security but to the fight against international terrorism.David Cameron has signalled that the UK will stage its referendum on membership of the European Union in 2016 and made clear that continued membership was vital not just to economic security but to the fight against international terrorism.
His remarks, at the close of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, suggest that the prime minister knows he is not going to achieve all his negotiating demands and has decided to press ahead with the vote as soon as a final deal is struck at another summit in February.His remarks, at the close of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, suggest that the prime minister knows he is not going to achieve all his negotiating demands and has decided to press ahead with the vote as soon as a final deal is struck at another summit in February.
The referendum is most likely to be staged in July as there are fears in Number 10 that the migration crisis may have worsened by autumn next year.The referendum is most likely to be staged in July as there are fears in Number 10 that the migration crisis may have worsened by autumn next year.
Cameron knows he has a party management problem now to forestall any high profile cabinet resignations by those convinced the package does not change the fundamental contours of the UK relationship with Europe. Cameron knows he has a party management problem now to forestall any high-profile cabinet resignations by those convinced the package does not change the fundamental contours of the UK relationship with Europe.
Related: David Cameron faces compromise over plans for EU migrants' welfare accessRelated: David Cameron faces compromise over plans for EU migrants' welfare access
Speaking at the end of a summit at which he faced resistance from EU counterparts to his plans for changes to welfare rules for migrants, Cameron insisted that “good progress” had been made towards an agreement in February on reforms to the UK’s membership. Speaking at the end of a summit at which he faced resistance from EU counterparts to his plans for changes to welfare rules for migrants, Cameron insisted that good progress had been made towards an agreement in February on reforms to the UK’s membership.
He has promised to hold the public vote before the end of 2017, but a deal at the summit in February would clear the way for the referendum within four months. Cameron is required to spend six weeks passing details of the legislation through parliament before four months are set aside for the campaign. He has promised to hold the public vote before the end of 2017, but a deal at the summit in February would clear the way for the referendum within six months. Cameron is required to spend six weeks passing details of the legislation through parliament before four months are set aside for the campaign.
Speaking at a closing press conference designed to give a sense of momentum, the prime minister said: “We’ve made good progress, we are a step closer to agreement on the significant and far-reaching reforms I have proposed. Speaking at a closing press conference designed to generate a sense of momentum, the prime minister said: “We’ve made good progress, we are a step closer to agreement on the significant and far-reaching reforms I have proposed.
“It is going to be tough and there is a lot of hard work to do. But I believe 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital, fundamentally changing the UK’s relationship with the EU and finally addressing the concerns of the British people about our membership.“It is going to be tough and there is a lot of hard work to do. But I believe 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital, fundamentally changing the UK’s relationship with the EU and finally addressing the concerns of the British people about our membership.
“Then it will be for the British people to decide whether we remain or leave. It is a choice we will all need to think hard about.“Then it will be for the British people to decide whether we remain or leave. It is a choice we will all need to think hard about.
“I believe if we can get these reforms right – and I believe that we can – I firmly believe that for our economic security and increasingly for our national security, the best future for Britain is in a reformed European Union.”“I believe if we can get these reforms right – and I believe that we can – I firmly believe that for our economic security and increasingly for our national security, the best future for Britain is in a reformed European Union.”