Cameron pledges in/out EU referendum
David Cameron today promised an in/out referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union by the end of 2017 if the Conservatives win the next general election.
In a major speech in London, Mr Cameron said that the Conservative manifesto for the 2015 general election will ask for a mandate to negotiate a "new settlement" for Britain in Europe, which will be put to voters in a referendum within the first half of the five-year Parliament.
But the Prime Minister said he will campaign "with all my heart and soul" for Britain to stay in the European Union when the referendum comes.
And he warned voters that if the UK did decide to leave, it would be "a one-way ticket, not a return".
Speaking to a business audience in the City of London, Mr Cameron called for a new EU treaty to reshape the 27-nation bloc, resolve the problems of the eurozone, allow the transfer of powers back from Brussels to national governments and make Europe's economy more competitive and its institutions more flexible and democratically accountable.
Mr Cameron said it was his "strong preference" to enact these changes for the whole EU, not just Britain alone.
But if other member states are unwilling to go ahead with a new treaty, Mr Cameron said he was ready to renegotiate the UK's position to achieve a settlement "in which Britain can be more comfortable and all our countries can thrive".
Standing in front of a backdrop with the slogan "Britain and Europe", Mr Cameron said: "The next Conservative manifesto in 2015 will ask for a mandate from the British people for a conservative government to negotiate a new settlement with our European partners in the next Parliament.
"It will be a relationship with the single market at its heart.
"And when we have negotiated that new settlement, we will give the British people a referendum with a very simple in or out choice. To stay in the EU on these new terms or come out altogether. It will be an in/out referendum.
"Legislation will be drafted before the next election. And if a Conservative Government is elected we will introduce the enabling legislation immediately and pass it by the end of that year.
"And we will complete this negotiation and hold this referendum within the first half of the next Parliament.
"It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics."
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Eddy Privitera
Jan 23rd, 13:08
PT 2. Zid ma dawn €72.5 miljuni fis-sena, li skond l-organizzazzjoni internazzjonali, 'OPEN EUROPE, is-shubija fl-UE qieghda tiswa lil-Malta, biex tintroduci u timplimenta r-regoli ta-UE !!! MHUX TA' B'XEJN LI D-DEJN TANT ZDIED MINDU MALTA DAHLET FL-UE !
Hossam Helwani
Jan 23rd, 14:50
you are using capital letters as we previously agreed when a person tries to stress an argument by shouting he is nothing less than a hamallu
so dear eddie privitera remove those caps it is vulgar and low!
J. Pace
Jan 26th, 00:32
Thanks to EU Mr. Privitera, me and many others have a great career (since we were given free education @ university), earn extremely well and in turn we pay a lot of taxes to support our country - which is yours too (Malta Taghna Ukoll).
Thanks to your party, I feel that all this is at risk, so for once I beg you to remove your red blinkers and think about the others. We need no change, thanks!
Charles Cremona
Jan 23rd, 13:00
If the UK left it will cost the EU £15 Billion in budget contributions alone second only to Germany. The UK
imports more than it exports to an ever decling EU and that is why it is looking at upcoming countries like China and India for its future trade. But, above all the Brits have had enough of EU meddling in their affairs and they also have to put up with millions of immigrants from the EU.
Peter Murray
Jan 23rd, 12:55
Pippo De Marco,
The UK has long ago opted -out of the WTD -like Malta-so this is not really an issue.But unlike Malta the UK does protect its workers by having a clearly defined MAXIMUM number of hours which may be worked in any given day/week.Which.although it exceeds the WTD guidelines at least are in place as Malta irresponsibly and recklessly does not impose any MAXIMUM WORKING HOURS LIMITS
Joseph Micallef
Jan 23rd, 12:39
Look! What a difference between responsible, honest, objective foreign politicians and the nationalists in Malta! In Malta, allahares one raises any doubts or skepticism about the EU membership as they take is soooo personal as if you commit a sagrileg. And you'll find Bondi, Peppi and Norman ready to make fun of you and raise fear amongst the viewers. X'differenza!! X'misthija ta' GonziPN.
Joseph Portelli
Jan 23rd, 12:53
ma tafx x'inti tghid siehbi!! Allahares Malta ma dhalniex fl-Unjoni Ewropea ghax kieku ghadna kif konna fi zminijiet ohra fejn il-ftit li kien isir kien isir biss mit-taxxi taghna. Illum bizzejjed thares lejn it-toroq godda kollha li saru bl-ghajnuna tal-EU! Biex ma nsemmix tant u tant progetti ohra!
George Joseph Cauchi
Jan 23rd, 13:00
Oh yes tell us another story please. David Cameron wants to hold the people of GB hostage for another term in power, ditch the liberal democrats in the process and appease the euro sceptics in his party. Unless of-course the British Labour Party is smart enough to neutralise this dangerous move by Cameron.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 23rd, 13:05
PT 1. Joseph Portelli: KEMM MA TAF XEJN DWAR IL-FONDI TAL-UE ! IL-FONDI LI QED JIGU HUME MILL-ISTESS FLUS LI MALTA TKUN DIGA HALLSET LIL-UE !!! Waqt li l-flus li nhallsu ahna l-UE tuzahom KIF TRID HI. Il-flus li nircievu ahna mil-UE, nistghu BUISS nonfquhom fi progetti li trid taqbel maghhom l-UE ! Sa llum Hallasna lil-UE €307 miljuni. U rcevejna €286 miljuni. Mela qeghdin €21 MINN TAHT !
R Bartolo
Jan 23rd, 13:09
"But the Prime Minister said he will campaign "with all my heart and soul" for Britain to stay in the European Union.."
He knows full well that the pros outweigh the cons, and that it is the gutter press that is responsible for the anti-sentiment mostly displayed amongst the common cabbages.
Rest assured that there will be plenty of preparation for any referendum and the outcome "stay in".
B Ellul
Jan 23rd, 13:23
int tidher li tifhem filmod kif tahdem l'EU? Prosit!
john grech
Jan 23rd, 13:31
@
isejt li kull sena intohom 66 miljun?
u ituna 33 lura biss?
u il 120 miljun li tajtna il grecja
tghidx ma konniex naghmlu xi trieq bijom?
john grech
Jan 23rd, 12:38
why should we stay in the eu?
we get 33 million every year
we give 66 million every year to the eu
so what are the benefits of the eu?
B Ellul
Jan 23rd, 13:23
I'm sure that you're getting these figures from CNI!
Peter Buttigieg
Jan 23rd, 13:37
eeeehhhh?????
Grezzju Mejlaq
Jan 23rd, 13:37
Are you serious??? All the jobs created in igmaing and the financial services would have never materialised, as well as all the improvements in tourism without EU membership (just to name a few..). Imma xorta tridu tibqaw tghidu fuq l EU, alkem anka Joseph stess ammetta li zbalja fi zmienu...
Grezzju Mejlaq
Jan 23rd, 13:44
Kem nixtieq stajna naqsmu il pajjiz min nofs al nies bhalek li riedu ( u mid dehra ghadhom iridu!) il Partnership ta Alfred Sant. Kieku ilkom li qadtu kwieti ghax qedghin kollha queue biex taqsmu al fruntiera tal Maltin fl Eu...
Antoine Vella
Jan 23rd, 12:31
In Malta the PL is full of people who have not yet accepted the results of our referendum and are forever hoping that we will leave the EU.
Can Joseph Muscat guarantee that this will never happen?
George Joseph Cauchi
Jan 23rd, 13:07
Can any party guarantee that we stay in the EU? If any Government in power from now is forced to reduce our health benefits, cut students' stipends, reduce pension benefits, raise the pensionable age to 67 and cut other welfare payments, you will see the people of Malta up in arms to have that referendum. many changes are taking place in the EU moving to this scenario.
john grech
Jan 23rd, 14:05
whats wrong to have another referendum so people can show their great thanks about the eu benefits
voting yes for the hampers of pakketti ta l ghagin u il pakketti tar ross??
whats wrong that the hunters and the trappers have a second chance to say a big thank you to the eu for the garnazija li il kacca u l insib jibqu l istess???
Eve Axiaq
Jan 23rd, 12:21
What Cameron doesnt say is that his party is owned by the elites of the financial city as they are the biggest contributors to the party. These elites doesnt want Brussels to meddle in their financial markets anymore. They created a huge lobbying to persuade people to leave the EU.
Thats how the world goes around.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 23rd, 13:13
Eve Axiaq: Don't you know that even GonziPN and the PL do not want the EU to meddle in our financial services ??? The EU was created by the politicians for the politicians !
Joseph Portelli
Jan 23rd, 12:11
m'ghandix dubju li f'dik l-istess direzzjoni se jmexxina l-Prim Ministru Muscat jekk naghtuh il-fiducja taghna. X'tistenna minn politikant li tant hadem biex ma nidhlux fl-EU; li tant mexxa programmi fuq it-TV kontra l-EU; li ta' pariri pajjizi ohra biex ma jidhlux fl-EU. U li llum hu mdawwar b'persuni li joboghdu lill-Unjoni Ewropea.
Vincent David Caruana
Jan 23rd, 13:35
The only talking PN can do is to simply scare people. Grow up please.
Pippo de Marco
Jan 23rd, 11:59
Cameron is actually pro-EU, but many in his party are not. - His unholy ConDem alliance is unable to resurrect the UK economy, the outgoing Governor of the Bank of England is painting a bleak picture for the UK and the Pound is falling faster than whore's drawers. - The Tories would need to win the next election outright in order to call a referendum, so don't get excited, it won't happen.
George Joseph Cauchi
Jan 23rd, 13:11
Actually a falling pound should be having a good effect on their exports to the EU whilst making imported goods from Europe expensive. The Tories are hoping to win the next election by blackmailing the people to give them another term in office.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 23rd, 13:17
Pippo: I believe that if the British Labour Party and the Lib-Dems do not bind themselves too, to give a referendum on EU membership to the British people, the Conservatives will win the next election. The British people, are totally fed up with seeing their country dictated to by foreign bureaucrats in Brussls !
Pippo de Marco
Jan 23rd, 15:23
Eddie,
I spend a lot of time in the UK and believe me, a one-legged man would have more chance of winning an arse kicking contest than the Conservatives have of winning the next UK election.
So far, the ConDem coalition has delivered nothing but misery and despair for UK people and businesses alike, but uncertainty, UK job fears and a weak Pound means bad news for our tourism industry too.
john gittos
Jan 23rd, 11:54
What was said by Cameron voices the frustration held by many people across the EU ,Europe is going down a road that many did not sign up to , ask the MLP .UK contribution financially is second to Germany so yes they must be concerned . History will tell us who are right in this debate, but if past history tell us anything I know where my money lies.
Geoffrey Farrugia
Jan 23rd, 11:41
X'ma jaghmilx politikant biex jibqa' fil-poter jew jittanta jawwistah dak il-poter!
W. Cassar
Jan 23rd, 11:39
Malta is not Britain or any large country for that matter, we are an ant on an elephants back. So lets not compare situations.
j brincat
Jan 23rd, 11:32
@Andre Briffa
"Wonder if MLP would be tempted to do the same....."
PN apologist (who mixes the issues) at work!
jb
Andre Briffa
Jan 23rd, 13:24
Look what's crawled back...the little PL elf is back at work! Go along and work little one!
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 23rd, 11:27
sure if leaving the EU will do Britain any good, but it will be total mayhem if Malta opts to leave the EU, simply because we are not Britain. And a referendum to leave the EU in Malta will be even more resoundedly defeated with an even greater majority than the first referendum.
Ethelbert Schembri
Jan 23rd, 11:23
It is better that all you PN spinners listen and understand carefully what Mr Cameron is saying before trying to mix things up. He's not saying that he wants out, he's just determined to make his country and the EU stronger. But as a democratic leader he will do what the people choose.. You know democracy is not something to play with just to get or stay in power, it's the voice of the people!!
Peter Murray
Jan 23rd, 11:34
I listened very carefully to the whole speech sir and Cameron actually said very little-read nothing- on the measures he proposes to negotiate with the EU to return some power back to the UK government but perhaps you heard them and could share with us?Speak softly when you mention the dreaded "democracy" word in the EU corridors of power as they are greatly averse to it
Pippo de Marco
Jan 23rd, 12:07
Peter,
Principally, Cameron wants to break free from EU employment laws, such as the working time directive and other legislation that he and his chums resent because those laws protect many workers from being unfairly treated and exploited, which has always been the Tory approach to HR.
M Sciberras
Jan 23rd, 12:55
@Peter Murray
Cameron has actually been very specific in what he wants, in this & other speeches- deepening the Single Market, shifting focus onto free trade agreement with NAFTA, transferring administrative powers from Brussels back to member states (ex many aspects of funding sourced from member states paid out by Brussels), judicial powers. Worthy goals, torpedoed by hysterical xenophobia.
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 23rd, 11:21
Britain, like Malta is geographically not part of mainland Europe and together we fought two of the strongest nations in the EU in WW2. But that's where similarities end. Britain was a superpower and has been cut down to size and now has to play equal with the rest of EU nations, which with Britain's pride is not easy. We were precisely opposite, a colony of Britain drifting on our own. Am not..
Steve Mifsud
Jan 23rd, 11:55
Britain, whether you like it or not, is still a powerful player, especially when you take into account the size of population. It is still the worlds 5th most powerful military power and offers much to this planet. The British are not frustrated with the EU due to any pride issues......most British frustrations stem from the amount of EU corruption.....for example, look up French farmers...
Pippo de Marco
Jan 23rd, 12:20
Steve,
You are right, most Brits are aware of the place in the modern world and, for most, pride is not an issue. But mention the Common Agricultural Policy and the subsidies the EU gives France and others to produce less food and keep their farms small, pretty and inefficient and their blood will boil. - And they REALLY resent abiding by unpopular EU laws that other countries simply ignore.
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 23rd, 11:01
Cameron is promising 2017 Referendum IF Tories win 2015 second term . UK has had ambivalent love-hate relationship with EU since De Gaulle thrice said Non to UK membership in 60s.. Renogtiation in 2013 is different from Thatcher's handbagging Brussels to get rebate. USA has warned UK about the opt-out. De Gaulle must have been right ! EU will be better off with UK cut adrift out of EU
Terry COURTNADGE
Jan 23rd, 11:17
President Charles De Gaulle of France (1959 -1969) consistently vetoed Britain's applications to join the then EEC ; he had formed a bi-national 'pact' with West Germany (exactly 50 years ago). He knew that Britain was big enough to undermine it. Since early 1963, France and now moreso Germany have been the main two players in Europe. Who calls the shots? Britain was an outsider for too long.
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 23rd, 11:57
Terry Courtnadge : So UK was/is outsider and still trying to call the shots, blaming the EU for l its woes and pretending that all is hunky dory in Little Britain. HMV. Blockbuster, Jessops, Honda UK, Rolls Royce, Barclays UK have either gone belly-up or shedding staff in last days. Before renegotiang UK must look inwards and decide where it wants to go. If it wants out, just don't blame the EU !
Terry COURTNADGE
Jan 23rd, 15:05
No, Anthony - I didn't mean Britain calls the shots, France and Germany dominated the whole thing a decade before UK joined, that's what I meant. Cameron is behaving like he is because his Party is starting to lose support to UKIP, a Party that wants unconditional total withdrawl from the EU and he (Cameron) is now getting worried about the next Election.
Andre Briffa
Jan 23rd, 10:59
Wonder if MLP would be tempted to do the same.....
Eve Axiaq
Jan 23rd, 12:28
We dont have a financial city. The reason is the financial elites which own Cameron's party doesnt want Brussels to meddle in their finances anymore. Kemm ghandek biza minn dan Muscat! He is asking you to join him!
Andre Briffa
Jan 23rd, 13:22
And I am telling him NO! Because although he has has a new name, new logo, new slogan, new image...it is still the same OLD MLP dinosaurs who will be whispering in his ear what must be done! NO THANKS!
Nicholas Borg
Jan 23rd, 10:58
WIll the Partit Laburista pull us in the same direction as the British Conservatives once they are in power? It would not be at all surprising considering how hard Joseph Muscat had worked to keep us out of the EU.
Etienne Psaila
Jan 23rd, 11:42
...dejjem hemm taqaw...dak passat...bil-passat biss tridu tirbhu...ahna l-futur irridu nkunu nafu...wara kollox mur ara billi qeghdin fl-EU...Jien kont wiehed mill-ivvotajt favur pero' nahseb l-ahjar li marru huma tal-qalbi kif wara kollox dejjem jigri hawn Malta...
Peter Murray
Jan 23rd, 10:54
Further to my input it would be interesting to learn what breakaway special terms Cameron is negotiating with EU leaders -as he never mentioned any ?The UK buys much more from the EU than the other way around and are currently restricted in world trade dealings by its economic ties with the EU and that leaving the EU would open up more opportunities for exports
John Benner
Jan 23rd, 11:34
Peter has Cameron pointed out 1 in 5 of all investment in Europe is in the UK , a fifth of all investment in the EU is in one country from 27 countries , that is quiet an achievement .Also what you have to remember the main financial centre of the world is in London . Last year the World bank in a report said of all the EU members the UK were better equiped to go it alone than other EU members .
marit pedersen
Jan 23rd, 12:04
Cameron will promise the British people anything to remain in power just like Blair did, and when the time comes he will say I never said that.....Its all hot air and he knows it. How would the eu get on with out our 58 million pound per DAY
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 23rd, 10:21
L'inglizi qatt mhu ser jaccettaw il-monita minghar il-wicc tal-Regina jew Re, l'euro qatt mhu ser tidhol l'Ingillterra.
"New settlement" tfisser li l'inglizi mhu miex kuntenti bit-trattat presenti iridu a "fresh agreement" u it tir ta' Joseph hemm qieghed li ikluna trattat imfassal ghal din il-gzira zghira taghna.
Henry S Pace
Jan 23rd, 10:04
Well Said Mr Cameron.
Britain went already twice to a Referendum. However, the peoples said NO opt-out.
Otherwise Britain would be isolated by and large.
Peter Murray
Jan 23rd, 10:40
Britain is already isolated by definition -as, like Malta, it is an Island. and it didn't do too badly outside of the EU did it?Come to think of it neither did Malta!
Carmel Farrugia
Jan 23rd, 11:06
Just compare the value of the GBP to the EUR to-day and 5 years ago, and then tell me if the UK is doing good or bad. Just imagine if the UK was completely out of the EU, the GBP will not be worth the paper it is printed on.
Peter Murray
Jan 23rd, 10:02
This is a career -saving move and may just keep him in power (providing Labour dont offer a similar option)and for once a politician has actually listened to what the people want.However,he will not be able to re-negotiate any special deals for the UK with the power-mad autocrats running the EU as they would rather sell their mother than relinquish any of their tyrannical-like authority.
john muscat
Jan 23rd, 10:51
Hear Hear!
Pippo de Marco
Jan 23rd, 11:46
I agree, Peter, but Cameron will have to jump many more hurdles before this ever gets to a referendum.
Incidentally, Isn't this the same story that you described as 'Opinionated rubbish' when another commenter referred to it the other day ?
Please choose the reason of your report below: