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Tories call for rapid Europe vote to halt Nigel Farage surge Tories call for rapid Europe vote to halt Nigel Farage surge
(5 months later)
The extent of Tory concern over the rise of Ukip has burst into the open as senior Conservatives demanded two referendums on Europe – the first next spring – in a bid to halt the rise of Nigel Farage's rampant anti-EU party.The extent of Tory concern over the rise of Ukip has burst into the open as senior Conservatives demanded two referendums on Europe – the first next spring – in a bid to halt the rise of Nigel Farage's rampant anti-EU party.
Members of the Thatcherite No Turning Back group broke cover to call for the two-stage referendum package, after the Conservatives suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Ukip in Thursday's council elections. While the Tories' loss of 335 seats was less than some party figures had feared, Ukip's surge to 23% of the vote – just 2% behind the Tories – reinforced their fear that Farage and his team could emerge as the largest party from next year's European elections.Members of the Thatcherite No Turning Back group broke cover to call for the two-stage referendum package, after the Conservatives suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Ukip in Thursday's council elections. While the Tories' loss of 335 seats was less than some party figures had feared, Ukip's surge to 23% of the vote – just 2% behind the Tories – reinforced their fear that Farage and his team could emerge as the largest party from next year's European elections.
Tories are increasingly concerned that, if they fail to act, Farage could go on to inflict serious damage on their prospects of keeping Labour out of power at the 2015 general election.Tories are increasingly concerned that, if they fail to act, Farage could go on to inflict serious damage on their prospects of keeping Labour out of power at the 2015 general election.
The MPs demanding an urgent response, including David Davis, the former leadership challenger, called on David Cameron to give the public absolute certainty about his intentions over Europe by legislating soon for an initial "mandate" referendum, to take place next year, ahead of or at the same time as the European elections in May.The MPs demanding an urgent response, including David Davis, the former leadership challenger, called on David Cameron to give the public absolute certainty about his intentions over Europe by legislating soon for an initial "mandate" referendum, to take place next year, ahead of or at the same time as the European elections in May.
The purpose would be to strengthen the prime minister's negotiating hand and show the party was serious about securing a new deal for the UK in the face of the Ukip charge.The purpose would be to strengthen the prime minister's negotiating hand and show the party was serious about securing a new deal for the UK in the face of the Ukip charge.
In the first referendum, people would be asked to give Cameron authority to renegotiate the terms of UK membership on issues such as employment policy, co-operation over police and justice policy, and immigration. A second in/out referendum would be held, as is planned in the next parliament, in which people would be asked if they wanted to remain in the EU after a deal was reached with the UK's EU partners.In the first referendum, people would be asked to give Cameron authority to renegotiate the terms of UK membership on issues such as employment policy, co-operation over police and justice policy, and immigration. A second in/out referendum would be held, as is planned in the next parliament, in which people would be asked if they wanted to remain in the EU after a deal was reached with the UK's EU partners.
Davis told the Observer that having a first referendum next year would be "an absolute Ukip killer", as Farage would have either to back the plan or show his inflexibility. "It would massively reinforce the prime minister's negotiating hand and put some steel in his back," he said. "He would be more likely to return from any negotiation with a good deal that would mean we stay in the EU."Davis told the Observer that having a first referendum next year would be "an absolute Ukip killer", as Farage would have either to back the plan or show his inflexibility. "It would massively reinforce the prime minister's negotiating hand and put some steel in his back," he said. "He would be more likely to return from any negotiation with a good deal that would mean we stay in the EU."
Tory MP David Ruffley said that Cameron's previous pledge to hold an in/out referendum in 2017 after any new treaty is negotiated had not registered with the public, as it was too distant and vague.Tory MP David Ruffley said that Cameron's previous pledge to hold an in/out referendum in 2017 after any new treaty is negotiated had not registered with the public, as it was too distant and vague.
"David Cameron has to have a clear, sharper message on Europe because most people are not aware of his referendum pledge," he said. "This would be a concrete vote showing that Conservatives are serious about getting a referendum. It is about focusing minds. This Ukip insurgency is real and it's serious. Twelve months from now we will have another dose of this [at the council and European elections]. We must act now.""David Cameron has to have a clear, sharper message on Europe because most people are not aware of his referendum pledge," he said. "This would be a concrete vote showing that Conservatives are serious about getting a referendum. It is about focusing minds. This Ukip insurgency is real and it's serious. Twelve months from now we will have another dose of this [at the council and European elections]. We must act now."
MPs concede it is too late to insert a bill for a first referendum into this week's Queen's speech – which the coalition will use to highlight measures to boost the economy, including legislation for the HS2 high-speed rail line between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds – but say one could be introduced within the next few months.MPs concede it is too late to insert a bill for a first referendum into this week's Queen's speech – which the coalition will use to highlight measures to boost the economy, including legislation for the HS2 high-speed rail line between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds – but say one could be introduced within the next few months.
Such a move is bound to be resisted by the pro-EU Liberal Democrats, who say the government should stand by existing coalition policy. A party official said: "We should not spend the next year obsessing about Europe. We should concentrate on what really concerns people, which is their living standards."Such a move is bound to be resisted by the pro-EU Liberal Democrats, who say the government should stand by existing coalition policy. A party official said: "We should not spend the next year obsessing about Europe. We should concentrate on what really concerns people, which is their living standards."
Home secretary Theresa May conceded that the government had to show "greater certainty" about the intention to hold a referendum on EU membership, but said the negotiations, which will happen after 2015, had to take place first.Home secretary Theresa May conceded that the government had to show "greater certainty" about the intention to hold a referendum on EU membership, but said the negotiations, which will happen after 2015, had to take place first.
"If you want to take a renegotiated settlement to the British people, you have to renegotiate it," she said. "We can look at whether we can give some greater certainty in terms of the referendum. I think what we need to do is to be able to show people that we will hold that referendum, we will hold that referendum after the general election." She did not rule out legislation in the current parliament to pave the way for a referendum after the next general election, despite the tensions it would create with the Tories' Lib Dem coalition partners. "I am not saying that's definitely what we are going to be doing.""If you want to take a renegotiated settlement to the British people, you have to renegotiate it," she said. "We can look at whether we can give some greater certainty in terms of the referendum. I think what we need to do is to be able to show people that we will hold that referendum, we will hold that referendum after the general election." She did not rule out legislation in the current parliament to pave the way for a referendum after the next general election, despite the tensions it would create with the Tories' Lib Dem coalition partners. "I am not saying that's definitely what we are going to be doing."
Tory MP Bernard Jenkin said: "It is true that a number of us on the backbenches – and I believe some in cabinet – have been quietly debating this proposal with the prime minister's advisers and with David Cameron and the chancellor. We believe this proposal is right for the country, particularly for the business community which loathes uncertainty."Tory MP Bernard Jenkin said: "It is true that a number of us on the backbenches – and I believe some in cabinet – have been quietly debating this proposal with the prime minister's advisers and with David Cameron and the chancellor. We believe this proposal is right for the country, particularly for the business community which loathes uncertainty."
The Queen's speech will include a bill to slash national insurance contributions for small businesses, an energy bill to encourage private investment into the electricity sector, and measures on deregulation to get rid of red tape.The Queen's speech will include a bill to slash national insurance contributions for small businesses, an energy bill to encourage private investment into the electricity sector, and measures on deregulation to get rid of red tape.
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