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David Cameron arrives in US as Tory EU row rages David Cameron arrives in US as Tory EU row rages
(about 2 hours later)
The prime minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US President Barack Obama as a fierce debate rages within his party about the UK's future within the European Union. The prime minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US President Barack Obama as a debate rages within his party about the UK's future within the European Union.
David Cameron is expected to highlight the benefits to Britain of a trade agreement between Europe and the US.David Cameron is expected to highlight the benefits to Britain of a trade agreement between Europe and the US.
But the visit means he will miss a possible Commons vote over Conservative plans for a referendum on the EU. The visit means he will miss a possible Commons vote on Conservative plans for a referendum on the EU.
Two ministers have said they would opt to leave if a referendum were held now. Two ministers say they would opt for leaving if a referendum was held now.
On Sunday, Education Secretary Michael Gove and Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond became the most senior figures to declare how they would vote at the present time. On Sunday, Education Secretary Michael Gove and Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond became the most senior figures to declare how they would vote.
But both men said Mr Cameron must be given a chance to bring powers back from Brussels before they decide.But both men said Mr Cameron must be given a chance to bring powers back from Brussels before they decide.
It comes as backbench Tory MPs have tabled an amendment to the motion welcoming the Queen's Speech - in it, they express regret about the absence of legislation paving the way for a referendum. It comes after backbench Tory MPs tabled an amendment to the motion welcoming the Queen's Speech in which they express regret about the absence of legislation paving the way for a referendum.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says tensions within the party are likely to be brought to a head if a vote on the amendment takes place in the Commons later this week.BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says tensions within the party are likely to be brought to a head if a vote on the amendment takes place in the Commons later this week.
Eurosceptic cabinet members are now also likely to be asked whether they too would vote for the UK's departure were the issue to be tested now, our correspondent added.Eurosceptic cabinet members are now also likely to be asked whether they too would vote for the UK's departure were the issue to be tested now, our correspondent added.
Referendum callsReferendum calls
The prime minister has promised to hold an in/out referendum by 2017 - if the Conservatives win the next election - but has said he would campaign to stay within the EU if he was able to secure a new relationship.The prime minister has promised to hold an in/out referendum by 2017 - if the Conservatives win the next election - but has said he would campaign to stay within the EU if he was able to secure a new relationship.
A group of Conservative backbenchers, led by John Baron, have been campaigning for him to firm up this commitment by legislating in the current Parliament for a referendum.A group of Conservative backbenchers, led by John Baron, have been campaigning for him to firm up this commitment by legislating in the current Parliament for a referendum.
The Commons amendment is highly unlikely to be passed, as Labour, the Lib Dems and many Conservatives will vote against it or abstain but Mr Baron has said it will keep the issue in the spotlight.The Commons amendment is highly unlikely to be passed, as Labour, the Lib Dems and many Conservatives will vote against it or abstain but Mr Baron has said it will keep the issue in the spotlight.
Meanwhile, the Tory Mayor of London Boris Johnson is supporting the call for a government bill.Meanwhile, the Tory Mayor of London Boris Johnson is supporting the call for a government bill.
In a Daily Telegraph article, Mr Johnson said David Cameron must make clear Britain is "ready to walk away" unless its relationship with the EU is reformed.In a Daily Telegraph article, Mr Johnson said David Cameron must make clear Britain is "ready to walk away" unless its relationship with the EU is reformed.
He said: "I personally back legislation now to make sure that referendum goes ahead.He said: "I personally back legislation now to make sure that referendum goes ahead.
"It will be a good thing for everyone, because we will all have to focus not on the feud... but on what is actually right for the country"."It will be a good thing for everyone, because we will all have to focus not on the feud... but on what is actually right for the country".
Party controlParty control
The furore within the Tories has been seized on by Labour as a sign that Mr Cameron has lost control of his party. The furore within the Tories has been seized on by Labour as a sign Mr Cameron has lost control of his party.
Some Conservatives want a referendum to take place now, arguing it would give the government a mandate to negotiate with EU leaders.Some Conservatives want a referendum to take place now, arguing it would give the government a mandate to negotiate with EU leaders.
Labour aides have stressed that party leader Ed Miliband was opposing the decision to signal a referendum now but is not ruling out the possibility of one in the future. Labour aides have stressed party leader Ed Miliband was opposing the decision to signal a referendum now but is not ruling out the possibility of one in the future.
But a group of Labour MPs and peers, including the former Europe minister Keith Vaz, are to call for their party to support a referendum, says our political correspondent.But a group of Labour MPs and peers, including the former Europe minister Keith Vaz, are to call for their party to support a referendum, says our political correspondent.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has criticised his coalition partners for their "endless navel-gazing over Europe," which he said was in danger of distracting the government from its priorities.Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has criticised his coalition partners for their "endless navel-gazing over Europe," which he said was in danger of distracting the government from its priorities.
Businessman and former Labour science minister Lord Sainsbury told BBC Breakfast the current exit debate was "extraordinary".
"You can normally rely on the Conservatives to be pretty sensible about commercial issues, and issues of power and influence. The commercial case for staying in Europe is overwhelming," he said.
"A lot of our inward investment is from companies coming to this country in order to export into Europe. If we are not part of Europe, they are not going to be interested."