LONDON - British Prime Minister David Cameron
has said he would resign if he is unable to deliver an in/out
referendum on Britain’s European Union membership by 2017, a threat that
will complicate any coalition talks that may follow next year’s
election.
Cameron’s comments, made on
Monday evening during a conference call with party supporters, were
aimed at dispelling doubt among voters that his Conservative party is
committed to renegotiating Britain’s ties with the EU, and then winning
public approval for the reformed relationship with a referendum.They also come as the anti-EU UK Independence Party is threatening Cameron’s Conservatives with serious losses in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
The comments confirmed that
Britain’s future in Europe will be a sticking point in any future
government-forming talks if next May’s vote does not produce a clear
winner. Britain’s current junior coalition partners, the pro-EU Liberal
Democrats, are staunchly opposed to Cameron’s referendum plan.“This is not something I would ever barter away or give away,” Cameron said on the call, according to British media reports which were confirmed by the party. “I would not continue as prime minister unless I be absolutely guaranteed this referendum will go ahead on an in-out basis.”
The Conservatives trail the opposition Labour Party by around 4 percentage points in opinion polls. Labour are also pushing for reform of the EU, but have said they will only hold a referendum if there is a major transfer of power between Britain and the EU — something they don’t foresee before 2020.
Source: Agencies
Post a Comment