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| Crabb backs Wales in renegotiated EU, but is not a 'fan' | Crabb backs Wales in renegotiated EU, but is not a 'fan' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Stephen Crabb said it will be in Wales' interests to stay in the European Union on renegotiated terms, despite him not being "a member of the EU fan club". | Stephen Crabb said it will be in Wales' interests to stay in the European Union on renegotiated terms, despite him not being "a member of the EU fan club". |
| The Welsh secretary is backing Prime Minister David Cameron's push for change, on issues such as benefit rules. | The Welsh secretary is backing Prime Minister David Cameron's push for change, on issues such as benefit rules. |
| In a speech in Cardiff on Thursday, Mr Crabb will say he backs moves to re-negotiate Britain's role in the EU. | |
| There has been speculation an in-out referendum could be held on 23 June. | There has been speculation an in-out referendum could be held on 23 June. |
| This could depend on the outcome of an EU summit in February, when the terms of Britain's membership will be discussed. | This could depend on the outcome of an EU summit in February, when the terms of Britain's membership will be discussed. |
| "It is assumed that if you are a politician in Wales, you must be a bought and paid for member of the EU fan club. I am not," he will say. | "It is assumed that if you are a politician in Wales, you must be a bought and paid for member of the EU fan club. I am not," he will say. |
| Strain of Euroscepticism | Strain of Euroscepticism |
| "And I reject the notion that it should somehow be an article of faith. The case for Wales remaining within the EU has to be won on firmer arguments." | "And I reject the notion that it should somehow be an article of faith. The case for Wales remaining within the EU has to be won on firmer arguments." |
| He will say it is "in the DNA of Conservatives to be suspicious of big and intrusive government", and this explains the strain of Euroscepticism within the party. | He will say it is "in the DNA of Conservatives to be suspicious of big and intrusive government", and this explains the strain of Euroscepticism within the party. |
| But he will say the argument for staying in the EU will be won from a centre-ground position. | But he will say the argument for staying in the EU will be won from a centre-ground position. |
| "The centre-ground is a place of both principle and reasonableness," he will say. | "The centre-ground is a place of both principle and reasonableness," he will say. |
| "If the prime minister's renegotiation is successful and he secures the reforms he has spelt out, then I believe it will be in the UK's best interests to remain in a reformed European Union." | "If the prime minister's renegotiation is successful and he secures the reforms he has spelt out, then I believe it will be in the UK's best interests to remain in a reformed European Union." |
| On Wednesday, the four party leaders in the Senedd wrote to Mr Cameron objecting to the suggestion of a referendum in June, saying it would be too close to the assembly elections in May. | On Wednesday, the four party leaders in the Senedd wrote to Mr Cameron objecting to the suggestion of a referendum in June, saying it would be too close to the assembly elections in May. |