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| George Osborne: EU referendum a 'once-in-a-lifetime' decision | George Osborne: EU referendum a 'once-in-a-lifetime' decision |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The UK's EU referendum represents a "once-in-a-lifetime decision", Chancellor George Osborne has said. | The UK's EU referendum represents a "once-in-a-lifetime decision", Chancellor George Osborne has said. |
| He told Newsnight it was "unrealistic" to assume the poll - likely to be held later this year - would be repeated. | He told Newsnight it was "unrealistic" to assume the poll - likely to be held later this year - would be repeated. |
| Mr Osborne, who described himself as a Eurosceptic, said he was "optimistic" about reaching a deal on EU reforms. | Mr Osborne, who described himself as a Eurosceptic, said he was "optimistic" about reaching a deal on EU reforms. |
| The chancellor's comments come as Leader of the Commons Chris Grayling said staying in the EU under the current terms would be "disastrous". | The chancellor's comments come as Leader of the Commons Chris Grayling said staying in the EU under the current terms would be "disastrous". |
| The in/out referendum on EU membership has been promised by the end of 2017. | The in/out referendum on EU membership has been promised by the end of 2017. |
| 'Unrealistic' | 'Unrealistic' |
| Prime Minister David Cameron has said he wants to campaign for the UK to stay in a reformed EU, but says he "rules nothing out" if his demands are refused by other EU leaders - a line Mr Osborne reiterated in his interview. | |
| "I think anyone who votes out on the assumption that a year or two later you can have another vote to vote back in... is being unrealistic about the nature of the choice," Mr Osborne said. | |
| "And I think it's really important that the British people focus on the fact this is the once-in-a-lifetime decision." | |
| The EU referendum | The EU referendum |
| Timeline: What will happen when? | Timeline: What will happen when? |
| Guide: All you need to know the referendum | Guide: All you need to know the referendum |
| Explained: What does Britain want from Europe? | Explained: What does Britain want from Europe? |
| Analysis: Cameron tries to avert slanging match | Analysis: Cameron tries to avert slanging match |
| More: BBC News EU referendum special | More: BBC News EU referendum special |
| Mr Cameron has said he hopes to reach a deal on his reform demands, which include curbs on EU migrants' welfare entitlement, at next month's European Council meeting, . | |
| His proposal for a four-year freeze on some payments has been resisted by other EU leaders, but Mr Osborne said he saw "the essential pieces of the deal falling into place". | His proposal for a four-year freeze on some payments has been resisted by other EU leaders, but Mr Osborne said he saw "the essential pieces of the deal falling into place". |
| Some of the alternative arrangements to remaining within the EU "do not look very attractive", added Mr Osborne. | Some of the alternative arrangements to remaining within the EU "do not look very attractive", added Mr Osborne. |
| He said: "I want us to be able to stay in a reformed European Union. | He said: "I want us to be able to stay in a reformed European Union. |
| "And so establishing these principles - that Britain can't be discriminated against because it's not part of the euro, can't pick up the bill for eurozone bailouts, crucially can't have imposed on it changes the eurozone want to make without our consent - these things really matter and they're part of that resettlement." | |
| Bailout payments | Bailout payments |
| The chancellor - who has a key role in the UK's negotiating team - said the Treasury was "100% focused" on the talks, rather than planning for a UK exit from the EU. | The chancellor - who has a key role in the UK's negotiating team - said the Treasury was "100% focused" on the talks, rather than planning for a UK exit from the EU. |
| He also said the UK would be demanding a permanent guarantee that it would not have to contribute to future eurozone bailout payments. | He also said the UK would be demanding a permanent guarantee that it would not have to contribute to future eurozone bailout payments. |
| He added: "I've been concerned about some of the things that have happened in the European Union, that's why I want to make those changes. | He added: "I've been concerned about some of the things that have happened in the European Union, that's why I want to make those changes. |
| "It's a perfectly respectable position to say 'let's seek those changes, let's achieve those changes, let's have that new settlement, and then we can have the best of both worlds'. | "It's a perfectly respectable position to say 'let's seek those changes, let's achieve those changes, let's have that new settlement, and then we can have the best of both worlds'. |
| "We can be in the European Union, but not run by the European Union." | "We can be in the European Union, but not run by the European Union." |
| Mr Cameron has said his ministers will be able to campaign for either side in the referendum, but must back the government until negotiations are complete. | Mr Cameron has said his ministers will be able to campaign for either side in the referendum, but must back the government until negotiations are complete. |
| Leader of the Commons Mr Grayling, writing in the Daily Telegraph on Thursday, said remaining within the European Union under the UK's current membership terms would be "disastrous". | |
| He intervention has been seen as the first sign of a minister preparing to campaign to leave the EU in the UK's referendum. | He intervention has been seen as the first sign of a minister preparing to campaign to leave the EU in the UK's referendum. |
| Mr Grayling said the UK was at "a crucial crossroads" and "cannot be left in a position where we have no ability to defend our national interest" within the EU". | Mr Grayling said the UK was at "a crucial crossroads" and "cannot be left in a position where we have no ability to defend our national interest" within the EU". |
| 'A good deal' | 'A good deal' |
| He backed Mr Cameron to secure the reforms he is demanding, a stance supported by Mayor of London Boris Johnson. | He backed Mr Cameron to secure the reforms he is demanding, a stance supported by Mayor of London Boris Johnson. |
| Mr Johnson has said he remains "very confident" the prime minister will "get a good deal" for the UK in his renegotiation with EU leaders. | Mr Johnson has said he remains "very confident" the prime minister will "get a good deal" for the UK in his renegotiation with EU leaders. |
| Asked about Mr Grayling's article in the Telegraph, Mr Johnson said: "He's totally right to say unless you get reform, Europe will continue to be a zone of low growth and stagnation." | |
| You can watch Newsnight's full interview with George Osborne on iPlayer . | |