This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jan/21/david-cameron-eu-referendum-europe-migration

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
David Cameron 'not in a hurry' to hold EU referendum David Cameron 'not in a hurry' to hold EU referendum
(7 months later)
David Cameron has declared he will turn down any deal from the European Union that does not offer strong enough curbs on migration as he is in no hurry to hold the referendum.David Cameron has declared he will turn down any deal from the European Union that does not offer strong enough curbs on migration as he is in no hurry to hold the referendum.
Speaking to business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the prime minister said he wanted talks to conclude in February but he was not prepared to take an inadequate deal just to get the referendum out of the way early. “If there’s a good deal on the table, I will take it,” he said. “But if there isn’t the right deal, I’m not in a hurry. I can hold my referendum any time up until the end of 2017.”Speaking to business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the prime minister said he wanted talks to conclude in February but he was not prepared to take an inadequate deal just to get the referendum out of the way early. “If there’s a good deal on the table, I will take it,” he said. “But if there isn’t the right deal, I’m not in a hurry. I can hold my referendum any time up until the end of 2017.”
He said the idea of a Britain with “the best of both worlds” – being in the single market but not in the single currency, and being able to travel in Europe but not having open borders with EU countries – was a “huge prize, worth fighting for, a prize worth negotiating for”. Asked whether he would be prepared to accept a deal without a ban on EU migrants claiming benefits for four years, Cameron said he would need something at least as “potent and powerful” as that.He said the idea of a Britain with “the best of both worlds” – being in the single market but not in the single currency, and being able to travel in Europe but not having open borders with EU countries – was a “huge prize, worth fighting for, a prize worth negotiating for”. Asked whether he would be prepared to accept a deal without a ban on EU migrants claiming benefits for four years, Cameron said he would need something at least as “potent and powerful” as that.
Related: David Cameron to urge business leaders to back bid for staying in the EU
Although presenting himself as flexible about the timing, Cameron is widely expected to try to hold a referendum before the summer holidays, which will mean a deal needs to be completed within weeks. Despite claiming he could campaign for the UK to leave the EU if the deal is not satisfactory, the prime minister is already making the case for the country to keep its membership.Although presenting himself as flexible about the timing, Cameron is widely expected to try to hold a referendum before the summer holidays, which will mean a deal needs to be completed within weeks. Despite claiming he could campaign for the UK to leave the EU if the deal is not satisfactory, the prime minister is already making the case for the country to keep its membership.
In an appeal for business backing, Cameron said the referendum would be “a once-in-a-generation moment and the stakes are high”. He said: “The voice of business must be heard in Britain and across the whole continent. If you want a more competitive Europe, where the single market is completed, where there are more trade deals and fewer regulations, join me in making that case. If you believe, like I do, that Britain is better off in a reformed European Union, then when the time comes, help me make that case for Britain to stay.”In an appeal for business backing, Cameron said the referendum would be “a once-in-a-generation moment and the stakes are high”. He said: “The voice of business must be heard in Britain and across the whole continent. If you want a more competitive Europe, where the single market is completed, where there are more trade deals and fewer regulations, join me in making that case. If you believe, like I do, that Britain is better off in a reformed European Union, then when the time comes, help me make that case for Britain to stay.”
In June the business secretary, Sajid Javid, criticised the Confederation of British Industry for making it clear that it would support staying in the EU regardless of the success of the prime minister’s renegotiations. “You know how negotiation works. You wouldn’t sit down at the start of a merger or acquisition and, like a poker player showing his hand to the table, announce exactly what terms you were prepared to accept,” said Javid. “It doesn’t work in the boardroom and it won’t work in Brussels.”In June the business secretary, Sajid Javid, criticised the Confederation of British Industry for making it clear that it would support staying in the EU regardless of the success of the prime minister’s renegotiations. “You know how negotiation works. You wouldn’t sit down at the start of a merger or acquisition and, like a poker player showing his hand to the table, announce exactly what terms you were prepared to accept,” said Javid. “It doesn’t work in the boardroom and it won’t work in Brussels.”
The prime minister will be seeking to reach a deal on a package of reforms at a summit in Brussels on 18 and 19 February. He is expected to hold a cabinet meeting as soon as possible after the deal has been secured, to set a date for the vote.The prime minister will be seeking to reach a deal on a package of reforms at a summit in Brussels on 18 and 19 February. He is expected to hold a cabinet meeting as soon as possible after the deal has been secured, to set a date for the vote.
A number of cabinet ministers are expected to campaign to leave the EU, including Chris Grayling, the leader of the House of Commons, but the majority are expected to side with Downing Street. Pro-Europe campaigners are preparing for the referendum to be held in June, with a date suggested for the 23rd of the month, but there is also a possibility that the vote could be held in September.A number of cabinet ministers are expected to campaign to leave the EU, including Chris Grayling, the leader of the House of Commons, but the majority are expected to side with Downing Street. Pro-Europe campaigners are preparing for the referendum to be held in June, with a date suggested for the 23rd of the month, but there is also a possibility that the vote could be held in September.