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British Opposition Leader Cool to Quick Vote on E.U. Membership British Opposition Leader Cool to Quick Vote on E.U. Membership
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — Ending months of speculation, Ed Miliband, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, said on Wednesday that he would almost certainly not hold a quick referendum on the country’s membership in the European Union if he wins power next year. LONDON — Ending months of speculation, Ed Miliband, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, said on Wednesday that he would almost certainly not hold a quick referendum on the country’s membership in the European Union if his party wins power next year.
Even with the outcome of next year’s general election difficult to predict, Mr. Miliband’s comments in a speech in London reduced the prospects of Britain quitting the 28-nation European Union in the next few years.Even with the outcome of next year’s general election difficult to predict, Mr. Miliband’s comments in a speech in London reduced the prospects of Britain quitting the 28-nation European Union in the next few years.
Mr. Miliband had been under pressure from some sections of his party to match a pledge by Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants to loosen British ties to the European Union and hold a referendum in 2017 on whether to leave it.Mr. Miliband had been under pressure from some sections of his party to match a pledge by Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants to loosen British ties to the European Union and hold a referendum in 2017 on whether to leave it.
Instead, Mr. Miliband said he would hold a referendum only if there were a new agreement which transfers power from London to Brussels, adding that this was unlikely during the life span of the next government. Instead, Mr. Miliband said he would hold a referendum only if there were a new agreement that transfers power from London to Brussels, adding that this was unlikely during the life span of the next government.
He said a Labour government would promise a “lock,” or guarantee “that there will be no transfer of powers without an in/out referendum, without a clear choice about whether Britain stays in the European Union.” He said a Labour government would promise a “lock,” or guarantee, “that there will be no transfer of powers without an in/out referendum, without a clear choice about whether Britain stays in the European Union.”
“I believe it is unlikely this lock will be used in the next Parliament,” he added, referring to the duration of the government that will be set up after elections in 2015.“I believe it is unlikely this lock will be used in the next Parliament,” he added, referring to the duration of the government that will be set up after elections in 2015.
While outlining criticism of the way the European Union operates, Mr. Miliband argued that there was “an overwhelming economic case” for British membership in the union, as an exit would put at risk the advantages of being in a single market of around 500 million consumers. Britain would either end up outside that single market, or it would remain subject to terms and rules dictated by others, he told an audience at the London Business School.While outlining criticism of the way the European Union operates, Mr. Miliband argued that there was “an overwhelming economic case” for British membership in the union, as an exit would put at risk the advantages of being in a single market of around 500 million consumers. Britain would either end up outside that single market, or it would remain subject to terms and rules dictated by others, he told an audience at the London Business School.
Labour currently has a lead in most opinion polls about voting intentions for the next general election, but not a decisive one. Mr. Miliband’s statement means, in effect, that the only scenario in which a referendum on European Union membership is likely is if Mr. Cameron and his party win an overall majority in the election. To do that, they would have to improve on their performance in 2010, when they had to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, traditionally the most pro-European of the main political parties. Labour currently has a lead in most opinion polls about voting intentions for the next general elections, but not a decisive one. Mr. Miliband’s statement means, in effect, that the only scenario in which a referendum on European Union membership is likely is if Mr. Cameron and his party win an overall majority in the election. To do that, they would have to improve on their performance in 2010, when they had to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, traditionally the most pro-European of the main political parties.
Mr. Cameron has been under pressure from the success of the populist United Kingdom Independence Party, which campaigns against immigration and wants Britain to leave the European Union. The party is expected to prosper in elections to the European Parliament this May, and many Conservative Party lawmakers worry that it will siphon voters from them in the general election in 2015.Mr. Cameron has been under pressure from the success of the populist United Kingdom Independence Party, which campaigns against immigration and wants Britain to leave the European Union. The party is expected to prosper in elections to the European Parliament this May, and many Conservative Party lawmakers worry that it will siphon voters from them in the general election in 2015.
Britain’s only referendum on its status in Europe was in 1975. When asked today, most respondents say that they would like another chance to vote on the matter. The issue of Britain’s membership and role in the union does not feature at the top of voters’ concerns, however, coming well below those of the economy, jobs and social matters such as health.Britain’s only referendum on its status in Europe was in 1975. When asked today, most respondents say that they would like another chance to vote on the matter. The issue of Britain’s membership and role in the union does not feature at the top of voters’ concerns, however, coming well below those of the economy, jobs and social matters such as health.
While Mr. Miliband was pressed by some to neutralize critics of the European Union by offering a quick referendum on membership, others advised him that this could hurt a future Labour government.While Mr. Miliband was pressed by some to neutralize critics of the European Union by offering a quick referendum on membership, others advised him that this could hurt a future Labour government.
Trying to improve British membership terms in time for a referendum appears to be an uphill task, but winning a referendum without doing so looks even harder.Trying to improve British membership terms in time for a referendum appears to be an uphill task, but winning a referendum without doing so looks even harder.
In recent months, the business community in Britain has expressed growing concerns about the uncertainty that the prospect of a referendum might bring. Vince Cable, the British business secretary and a Liberal Democrat, warned last week of a “blight” on foreign investment in Britain and told The Independent that the referendum pledge had exerted a “chilling effect.”In recent months, the business community in Britain has expressed growing concerns about the uncertainty that the prospect of a referendum might bring. Vince Cable, the British business secretary and a Liberal Democrat, warned last week of a “blight” on foreign investment in Britain and told The Independent that the referendum pledge had exerted a “chilling effect.”
There is currently legislation in Britain, which Labour had already said it would keep, which states that if a new treaty were to transfer power to Brussels, it would automatically lead to a referendum. Mr. Miliband’s change to this position was to stipulate that, in such circumstances, voters would be offered the chance to quit the European Union rather than to simply reject a new treaty.There is currently legislation in Britain, which Labour had already said it would keep, which states that if a new treaty were to transfer power to Brussels, it would automatically lead to a referendum. Mr. Miliband’s change to this position was to stipulate that, in such circumstances, voters would be offered the chance to quit the European Union rather than to simply reject a new treaty.