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MPs set to debate UK leaving the EU MPs set to debate case for UK pulling out of European Union
(about 9 hours later)
 
MPs are expected to debate a bill that if passed would see the UK quit the EU.MPs are expected to debate a bill that if passed would see the UK quit the EU.
Tory eurosceptic MP Douglas Carswell's Private Member's Bill would repeal the act allowing the UK to join the former European Economic Community in 1973. Conservative MP Douglas Carswell's Private Member's Bill would repeal the act allowing the UK to join the former European Economic Community in 1973.
David Cameron has faced pressure from his own backbenchers to promise an in/out referendum on the EU. Although the bill has little or no chance of becoming law, Mr Carswell believes staging a debate on the issue in Parliament is a symbolic moment.
The PM has said he would consider seeking "fresh consent" from the British people if the relationship between eurozone countries changes. David Cameron is facing pressure from his own backbenchers to promise an "in/out" referendum on the EU.
The PM opposes such a step but has said he would consider seeking "fresh consent" from the British people if promised changes to the eurozone fundamentally alter the UK's relationship with the rest of the EU.
But many Tory MPs want the prime minister to go further and pass a law committing the next government to hold a referendum on Britain's relationship with the EU.But many Tory MPs want the prime minister to go further and pass a law committing the next government to hold a referendum on Britain's relationship with the EU.
Self-government
A year ago 81 Conservative MPs rebelled against the party line to vote for a referendum - the largest rebellion against a Tory prime minister over Europe.A year ago 81 Conservative MPs rebelled against the party line to vote for a referendum - the largest rebellion against a Tory prime minister over Europe.
Since then, Tory MPs have become more outspoken, with 100 of them writing a joint letter to Mr Cameron reiterating their call for a referendum and a new group established to build a cross-party consensus on the issue. Mr Carswell wants to repeal the European Communities Act (1972) which saw the UK join the EU - or the European Economic Community as it was called at the time - but the prospect of this happening is very slim.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned that the British public's disillusionment with the European Union is "the deepest it has ever been". Private Member's bills - a way for MPs to propose legislation on a subject of their choice - rarely make it into law unless they have the support of the government.
Mr Carswell's bill is second in line for debate on Friday. However there is no time limit on how long MPs can take to discuss the first bill on the agenda - Lib Dem MP John Hemming's proposed legislation on family justice.
This means there is an opportunity for MPs to "filibuster" - making long speeches that prevent other business from going ahead - if they want to prevent Mr Carswell's bill being debated.
But writing on his blog, Mr Carswell said he believed "unless the whips office mount an operation, there is a realistic chance that the prospect of quitting the EU will be debated on the floor of the Commons".
He added: "For the first time for years the SW1 people will be asking questions that folk up and down the country have been mulling over; why are we part of the Euro club?
"Would we be more prosperous outside? What would self-government feel like? And why did we sign up at all?
'Disillusionment'
Attitudes to Europe on the Conservative benches have steadily hardened since the euro crisis began.
Foreign Secretary William Hague warned recently that the British public's disillusionment with the EU is "the deepest it has ever been".
And the Mail on Sunday recently reported that Education Secretary Michael Gove thinks it is time to tell the EU to "give us back our sovereignty or we will walk out".And the Mail on Sunday recently reported that Education Secretary Michael Gove thinks it is time to tell the EU to "give us back our sovereignty or we will walk out".
'Trading nation'
Earlier this week, Mr Cameron pledged to ensure the UK's interests were defended as eurozone countries move towards closer union and he has threatened to veto the next EU budget if Brussels insists on an above-inflation rise.Earlier this week, Mr Cameron pledged to ensure the UK's interests were defended as eurozone countries move towards closer union and he has threatened to veto the next EU budget if Brussels insists on an above-inflation rise.
But he said he did not want the UK leave the EU.But he said he did not want the UK leave the EU.
"Many people, me included, are not satisfied with the status quo, and that's why the in option is not acceptable," he told MPs."Many people, me included, are not satisfied with the status quo, and that's why the in option is not acceptable," he told MPs.
"But many people, also like me, do not want us to leave altogether because of the importance of the single market to Britain, a trading nation, so they don't want to be out. That's why I think an in/out referendum isn't the right answer.""But many people, also like me, do not want us to leave altogether because of the importance of the single market to Britain, a trading nation, so they don't want to be out. That's why I think an in/out referendum isn't the right answer."
If passed, the bill would the repeal the European Communities Act (1972) which saw the UK join the EU - or the European Economic Community as it was called at the time. Labour have also raised the prospect of some form of referendum in the future but, like Mr Cameron, the party's leadership oppose a direct vote on whether to stay or exit.
Private Member's Bill are a way for MPs to propose legislation on a subject of their choice. Though many are likely to secure Commons debating time, they only rarely make it to law. The Lib Dems say a referendum would be a distraction at a time of seismic challenges for Europe and the UK should focus on protecting its interests by pushing for reform of the single market and other issues.
Mr Carswell's bill is second in line for debate on Friday, however there is no time limit on how long MPs can take to discuss the first bill on the agenda - Lib Dem MP John Hemming's bill on family justice.
This means there is an opportunity for MPs to "filibuster" - making long speeches that prevent other business from going ahead - if they want to prevent Mr Carswell's bill being debated.
But writing on his blog, Mr Carswell said he believed "unless the whips office mount an operation, there is a realistic chance that the prospect of quitting the EU will be debated on the floor of the Commons."