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David Cameron 'confident' of UK getting EU changes David Cameron 'confident' of UK getting EU changes
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has said he is confident of getting the changes he wants in the UK's relationship with Europe.David Cameron has said he is confident of getting the changes he wants in the UK's relationship with Europe.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today he wants a "fresh settlement" with Europe and would then seek "consent" from Britons.He told BBC Radio 4's Today he wants a "fresh settlement" with Europe and would then seek "consent" from Britons.
Although he declined to say this would be done via a referendum, he said it would done in a " straightforward way". Although he declined to say this would mean a referendum, he said it would be done in a "straightforward way".
Mr Cameron is expected to announce his plans - including a future referendum - in detail in a long-awaited speech on the UK and Europe next week. He dismissed business and political critics who warn uncertainty caused by the prospect of a future referendum could put British business at risk.
Mr Cameron is expected to announce his plans - including a referendum after the next election - in detail in a long-awaited speech on the UK and Europe next week.
He has faced pressure to hold a referendum on Europe and has been criticised by some in his own party for not doing more to distance the UK from the EU.He has faced pressure to hold a referendum on Europe and has been criticised by some in his own party for not doing more to distance the UK from the EU.
'Lead the debate'
But others, such as pro-European Tory peer Lord Heseltine, have warned a referendum would jeopardise the UK's business prospects.But others, such as pro-European Tory peer Lord Heseltine, have warned a referendum would jeopardise the UK's business prospects.
Mr Cameron said he wanted the UK to remain within the EU but said there was a need to redefine the relationship in light of moves towards further integration by countries using the single currency. Mr Cameron said he wanted the UK to remain within the EU, but said there was a need to redefine the relationship in light of moves towards further integration by countries using the single currency.
"Europe is changing and the opportunity for us to lead those changes and make changes that will make our relationship with Europe more comfortable I think are absolutely there. "Europe is changing and the opportunity for us to lead those changes and make changes that will make our relationship with Europe more comfortable, I think, are absolutely there.
"I am confident we can do that - a fresh settlement and then fresh consent for that settlement," he said."I am confident we can do that - a fresh settlement and then fresh consent for that settlement," he said.
He dismissed critics who said the uncertainty caused by a future referendum that could lead to the UK's exit from the EU, put at risk Britain's relationship with Europe and could cause problems for British business.He dismissed critics who said the uncertainty caused by a future referendum that could lead to the UK's exit from the EU, put at risk Britain's relationship with Europe and could cause problems for British business.
"This debate is happening anyway," he said of changes to the EU prompted by the recent euro area crisis."This debate is happening anyway," he said of changes to the EU prompted by the recent euro area crisis.
"You have a choice as politicians - do you get out there, lead that debate and make the changes that will be right for Britain - and I would argue right for Europe - and then give people a choice about that or do you stick you head in the sand and hope the debate will go away?" "You have a choice as politicians - do you get out there, lead that debate and make the changes that will be right for Britain - and I would argue right for Europe - and then give people a choice about that, or do you stick you head in the sand and hope the debate will go away?"
However, he insisted it was not in Britain's interests to leave the European Union because as a trading nation being part of the single market was important. Immigration figures
However, he insisted it was not in Britain's interest to leave the European Union.
"Would Britain collapse if we left the European Union? No, of course not. You could choose a different path. The question is, what is in our national interest?
"I've always been very clear it's in our national interest as a trading nation to be in the single market," he said.
Mr Cameron backed Communities Secretary Eric Pickles' over the lack of an official estimate of how many Romanians and Bulgarians might move to Britain after temporary immigration curbs, in place since 2005 to protect the British labour market, expire in December.
"I completely support what Eric Pickles has said which is don't make official predictions unless and until you've got real confidence in those figures," the prime minister said.
"It's a very difficult calculation to make. It's right to take the time and get this right."
The last Labour government vastly underestimated the numbers of people from the first wave of eastern EU member states who would move to the UK, nearly a decade ago.
Mr Pickles has warned that an "influx" of Romanians and Bulgarians would add to the existing housing problems in the UK.