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EU referendum: David Cameron to warn leaders over reforms EU referendum: David Cameron to warn leaders over reforms
(about 5 hours later)
David Cameron is to warn European leaders Britain will vote to leave the EU unless they agree to his reforms, the foreign secretary has said.David Cameron is to warn European leaders Britain will vote to leave the EU unless they agree to his reforms, the foreign secretary has said.
Philip Hammond said the PM was confident of securing "substantive" changes ahead of the UK's referendum.Philip Hammond said the PM was confident of securing "substantive" changes ahead of the UK's referendum.
And he did not rule out a vote next year if talks went well but said what mattered was "getting it right". Mr Cameron is trying to gather support on a tour of his EU counterparts.
Mr Cameron is visiting Holland and France on the first leg of a tour to build support for the changes he wants. Speaking alongside French President Francois Hollande, he said other European leaders had to be "flexible and imaginative".
The prime minister has not set out in full detail the reforms he is pushing for, but they will include tougher rules to prevent migrants claiming benefits. "The status quo is not good enough," he said.
He also wants safeguards to protect the City of London in the event of closer eurozone integration and an exemption for Britain from the EU drive for "ever closer union". "I believe there are changes we can make that will not just benefit Britain, but the rest of Europe too."
The PM will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz on Friday.
'Clear requirements''Clear requirements'
Arriving in The Hague for talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Mr Cameron said they would focus on growth, jobs and a "pro-enterprise agenda" as well as "my plans for European reform". He has not set out in full detail the reforms he is pushing for, but they will include tougher rules to prevent migrants claiming benefits.
Mr Hammond said the UK government had received legal advice saying changes to EU treaties would be needed to secure Mr Cameron's reforms - something that has so far been resisted by other EU leaders. He also wants safeguards to protect the City of London in the event of closer eurozone integration and an exemption for Britain from the EU drive for "ever closer union".
The foreign secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have a clear set of requirements. The prime minister is very clear in dealing with European Union counterparts - that if we are not able to deliver on those big areas of concern that the British people have we will not win the referendum. Earlier, arriving in The Hague for talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Mr Cameron said they would focus on growth, jobs and a "pro-enterprise agenda" as well as "my plans for European reform".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Hammond played down talk of the referendum being held before 2017, the date by which it has been promised.
He also said the UK government had received legal advice saying changes to EU treaties would be needed to secure Mr Cameron's reforms - something that has so far been resisted by other EU leaders.
The foreign secretary said: "We have a clear set of requirements. The prime minister is very clear in dealing with European Union counterparts - that if we are not able to deliver on those big areas of concern that the British people have we will not win the referendum.
"And we expect our European Union partners to engage with us in delivering a package that will enable the British people to decide that they think Britain's future is best delivered inside the European Union.""And we expect our European Union partners to engage with us in delivering a package that will enable the British people to decide that they think Britain's future is best delivered inside the European Union."
Asked if that meant the government would still recommend Britain stay in the EU even if it was not able to secure major reforms, Mr Hammond said: "If our partners do not agree with us - do not work with us to deliver that package - then we rule nothing out."Asked if that meant the government would still recommend Britain stay in the EU even if it was not able to secure major reforms, Mr Hammond said: "If our partners do not agree with us - do not work with us to deliver that package - then we rule nothing out."
Mr Hammond said the talks process had just begun but the UK expected to secure a "substantive package of reforms" over the summer and into the winter months.Mr Hammond said the talks process had just begun but the UK expected to secure a "substantive package of reforms" over the summer and into the winter months.
Referendum questionReferendum question
He said he wanted to negotiate reforms as quickly as possible but the timeline would depend on the "mechanism" set up for the negotiations.He said he wanted to negotiate reforms as quickly as possible but the timeline would depend on the "mechanism" set up for the negotiations.
He said "I don't think we've ruled out" having a referendum on a new deal next year but "what matters is getting it right rather than doing it quickly," adding that the government is "in the hands of our counterparts in the European Union".He said "I don't think we've ruled out" having a referendum on a new deal next year but "what matters is getting it right rather than doing it quickly," adding that the government is "in the hands of our counterparts in the European Union".
After talks with Mr Rutte, the prime minister will meet French President Francois Hollande, followed by Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
French MP Christophe Premat, a member of President Hollande's Socialist Party, said the UK's referendum could not be used "as a threat".French MP Christophe Premat, a member of President Hollande's Socialist Party, said the UK's referendum could not be used "as a threat".
He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "We respect that a referendum will be held in Great Britain, that's the destiny of the people in the UK. That's correct.He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "We respect that a referendum will be held in Great Britain, that's the destiny of the people in the UK. That's correct.
"But, at the same time, we can't use the referendum as a threat in order to have more space in the renegotiation. The method should be approached in another way. "But, at the same time, we can't use the referendum as a threat in order to have more space in the renegotiation. The method should be approached in another way."
"That might be the message of President Hollande to David Cameron tonight."
The EU referendum bill, which has been published and was earlier presented to the Commons, contains details of the question and the commitment to staging the vote by the end of 2017.The EU referendum bill, which has been published and was earlier presented to the Commons, contains details of the question and the commitment to staging the vote by the end of 2017.
Downing Street wants voters to be asked the question: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?"Downing Street wants voters to be asked the question: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?"
The Electoral Commission suggested this form of words - which would make those campaigning to stay in the EU the Yes campaign and vice versa - in 2013.The Electoral Commission suggested this form of words - which would make those campaigning to stay in the EU the Yes campaign and vice versa - in 2013.
A spokesman said: "We will consider the contents of the Bill when it is published and will make our views known as it progresses through Parliament to ensure voters' interests are put first."A spokesman said: "We will consider the contents of the Bill when it is published and will make our views known as it progresses through Parliament to ensure voters' interests are put first."
EU referendum in focusEU referendum in focus
David Cameron is starting renegotiation of the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:David Cameron is starting renegotiation of the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:
The UK and the EU: Better off in or out?The UK and the EU: Better off in or out?
What Britain wants from EuropeWhat Britain wants from Europe
Q&A: The UK's planned EU referendumQ&A: The UK's planned EU referendum
Timeline: EU referendum debateTimeline: EU referendum debate
Why Germany is David Cameron's new best friendWhy Germany is David Cameron's new best friend
Responding to the Queen's Speech, Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman said her party would back the referendum bill.Responding to the Queen's Speech, Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman said her party would back the referendum bill.
Outgoing Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg warned against complacency and called for Mr Cameron to lead the bid for Britain to stay in the EU with conviction.Outgoing Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg warned against complacency and called for Mr Cameron to lead the bid for Britain to stay in the EU with conviction.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the wording of the referendum question was "simple, straightforward" and "unambiguous".UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the wording of the referendum question was "simple, straightforward" and "unambiguous".
He added: "However, that Cameron is opting to give the pro-EU side the positive 'Yes' suggests strongly that his negotiations are so much fudge.He added: "However, that Cameron is opting to give the pro-EU side the positive 'Yes' suggests strongly that his negotiations are so much fudge.
"He has already decided which way he wants the answer to be given, without a single power repatriated.""He has already decided which way he wants the answer to be given, without a single power repatriated."