PM David Cameron promises an EU vote

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron has promised the UK an EU referendum by 2017, if the Tories win the 2015 election

12:56 23 January 2013

David Cameron has promised there will be a referendum held in 2017 for voters to choose whether they think the UK should be ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the EU, if the Tories win the election in May 2015. Britain’s Prime Minister announced the news on Wednesday morning.

Mr. Cameron said there should be an “in or out referendum” when it comes to the UK and its relationship with the European Union.

During his speech he commented that: “We understand and respect the right of others to maintain their commitment to this goal. But for Britain – and perhaps for others – it is not the objective.

“And we would be much more comfortable if the treaty specifically said so, freeing those who want to go further, faster, to do so, without being held back by the others.”

The Coalition leader added: “The biggest danger to the EU comes not from those who advocate change, but from those who denounce new thinking as heresy.

“In its long history Europe has experience of heretics who turned out to have a point.”

Britain’s involvement in the EU means that the UK is affected by decisions made there; this includes decisions reached on taxes and jobs.

Mr. Cameron has claimed that he would like to see the UK remain in the EU, although there are some concerns.

The UK opted to remain in the EU when a referendum was held almost 40 years ago.

The European Union is made up of 27 nations with Brussels, Belgium, being seen as the main host for the EU.