This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-15425256

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
EU referendum: MPs prepare for debate EU referendum: Cameron makes appeal to rebel MPs
(40 minutes later)
  
MPs are preparing to debate calls for a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union. David Cameron has issued a final appeal to his MPs not to rebel in a vote on a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.
All Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour MPs have been instructed to vote against the motion but nearly 70 Tory MPs are likely to defy the party whip. All Conservative MPs, and Lib Dem and Labour MPs, were instructed to vote against the motion but nearly 70 Tory MPs are likely to defy the party whip.
This would be the biggest rebellion of David Cameron's premiership so far. Mr Cameron, facing the biggest rebellion of his premiership, told them the approach and the timing was wrong.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has compared the calls for an in-out referendum - which is not government policy - to "a piece of graffiti". "The time for reform is coming. That is the prize," he said, ahead of a debate.
The prime minister is addressing MPs ahead of the debate, updating them on Sunday's EU summit href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15425139" >after his row with Nicolas Sarkozy, and putting forward his position on the referendum. "I share the yearning for fundamental reform and I am determined to deliver it," he added while making a Commons statement on the EU summit.
Mr Cameron opposes a public vote on Britain's EU membership and has said the focus should be on sorting out Europe's economic problems while looking to repatriate powers back to Britain when the time is right in future. "To those who are supporting today's motion, but don't actually want to leave the EU, I say to you this: 'I respect your views. We disagree about ends, not about means.
Before his appearance in the Commons Chamber, Mr Cameron met a number of Conservative ministerial aides concerned about the government's position. "'I support your aims. Like you, I want to see fundamental reform. Like you I want to refashion our membership of the EU so it better serves our country's interests."
Mr Cameron insisted he remained "firmly committed" to "bringing back more powers" from Brussels, but on demands for a referendum, he said the timing was wrong and Britain's national interest was to be part of the EU.
"Our national interest is for us to be in the EU, helping to determine the rules governing the single market - our biggest export market which consumes more than 50% of our exports and which drives so much of investment in the UK.
"This is not an abstract, theoretical argument, it matters for millions of jobs and millions of families and businesses in our country."
It was also "not the right time - at this moment of economic crisis - to launch legislation that includes an in/out referendum", he said.
"When your neighbour's house is on fire, your first impulse should be to help them to put out the flames - not least to stop the flames reaching your own house."
Labour leader Ed Miliband, who is likely to face a small rebellion from Eurosceptic MPs within his own party later, agreed the timing was not right.
"At this moment of all moments, the uncertainty that would ensue from Britain turning inwards over the next two years, to debate an in/out referendum is something our country cannot afford.
"The best answer to the concerns of the British people about the concerns of the European Union is to reform the way it works, not to leave it," he added.
The motion - which carries no legal weight - calls for a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU, leave or renegotiate its membership.The motion - which carries no legal weight - calls for a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU, leave or renegotiate its membership.
The House of Commons will vote on it at 2200 BST but the result will not be binding.
Speaking earlier on BBC Radio 4's Today, Mr Hague said he believed "this proposition is the wrong question at the wrong time".Speaking earlier on BBC Radio 4's Today, Mr Hague said he believed "this proposition is the wrong question at the wrong time".
"Clearly our whole relationship with the European Union is a matter that concerns the government as a whole and not just something for the House of Commons to put up some graffiti about," he said."Clearly our whole relationship with the European Union is a matter that concerns the government as a whole and not just something for the House of Commons to put up some graffiti about," he said.
"It (the referendum) was not in the manifestos of either of the governing parties, it cuts right across the rules for holding referendums, it will create additional economic uncertainty in this country at a difficult economic time.""It (the referendum) was not in the manifestos of either of the governing parties, it cuts right across the rules for holding referendums, it will create additional economic uncertainty in this country at a difficult economic time."
Mr Hague said the UK's priority should be on "protecting the British national interest" during talks to resolve the eurozone crisis and to ensure the UK had a strong voice in future discussions over changes to the EU.Mr Hague said the UK's priority should be on "protecting the British national interest" during talks to resolve the eurozone crisis and to ensure the UK had a strong voice in future discussions over changes to the EU.
"The right referendum is when any government suggests handing more power from Britain to the EU.""The right referendum is when any government suggests handing more power from Britain to the EU."
Conservative backbencher Bernard Jenkin said the public had not been consulted on the issue of Europe for more than 35 years and public opinion was on the side of those seeking a referendum.Conservative backbencher Bernard Jenkin said the public had not been consulted on the issue of Europe for more than 35 years and public opinion was on the side of those seeking a referendum.
"David Cameron is not just taking on the Conservative Party," he said. "He is taking on the whole of public opinion.""David Cameron is not just taking on the Conservative Party," he said. "He is taking on the whole of public opinion."
Mr Jenkin said the referendum was not a "panic exercise" but a response to what was going on in the eurozone and the "fundamental change in the nature of our relationship with the EU" being proposed.Mr Jenkin said the referendum was not a "panic exercise" but a response to what was going on in the eurozone and the "fundamental change in the nature of our relationship with the EU" being proposed.
Tory MP George Eustice, one-time press secretary to David Cameron, said the overwhelming majority in the party were united in wanting to see the UK's relationship with the EU renegotiated, but the handling of the vote was making the party look "completely divided".Tory MP George Eustice, one-time press secretary to David Cameron, said the overwhelming majority in the party were united in wanting to see the UK's relationship with the EU renegotiated, but the handling of the vote was making the party look "completely divided".
He told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the government had no serious intention of sorting out the European Union and a "clear coherent plan" was needed to show how the government plans to "knock the EU into shape".He told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the government had no serious intention of sorting out the European Union and a "clear coherent plan" was needed to show how the government plans to "knock the EU into shape".
Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said it is the worst time for a debate about Britain leaving the EU as a "firestorm" engulfs the eurozone. One Lib Dem MP, Stephen Gilbert, has said he will defy his leadership over the issue.Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said it is the worst time for a debate about Britain leaving the EU as a "firestorm" engulfs the eurozone. One Lib Dem MP, Stephen Gilbert, has said he will defy his leadership over the issue.
Labour leader Ed Miliband, who is likely to face a small rebellion from eurosceptic MPs within his own party, said EU membership was good for British business and Mr Cameron must prevent his party from "turning inwards".
"The prime minister only has himself to blame. He has spent the last few years pandering to eurosceptics in their party and now he is getting his comeuppance," he said.
The UK Independence Party, which campaigns for the UK to quit the EU, said the Conservatives were "tearing themselves apart" over Europe. Its leader Nigel Farage urged MPs from all parties "to vote with their conscience, ahead of their party or career".The UK Independence Party, which campaigns for the UK to quit the EU, said the Conservatives were "tearing themselves apart" over Europe. Its leader Nigel Farage urged MPs from all parties "to vote with their conscience, ahead of their party or career".
In the coalition agreement, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, a traditionally pro-European party, agreed to "ensure that the British government is a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners".In the coalition agreement, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, a traditionally pro-European party, agreed to "ensure that the British government is a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners".
The Commons debate on the issue was prompted after a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people.The Commons debate on the issue was prompted after a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people.