Cameron starts work on EU declaration

In Downing Street they call it simply 'the speech'. United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron was expected to give a key speech just before or just after Christmas 2012 presenting a declaration on Britain’s future in Europe that would shape the next general election and could set in train events that take the country out of the EU and tear political parties apart.

Tory ministers expected Mr Cameron to announce a plan to seek a new settlement for Britain in Europe, defining its role outside an integrated eurozone but somehow ensuring it remains a full player in areas like the single market, trade policy and foreign policy. Mr Cameron was expected to offer a referendum at the end of the negotiations with the EU.

ESO: Background information: Monti presses Cameron for EU referendum http://www.europeansources.info/record/monti-presses-cameron-for-eu-referendum/

ESO: Background information: Britain on the brink http://www.europeansources.info/record/britain-on-the-brink/

Centre for European Reform: How Britain could leave the EU by Charles Grant, November 2012 http://www.cer.org.uk/publications/archive/bulletin-article/2012/how-britain-could-leave-eu

EurActiv, 14.12.12: Cameron: 'We have opportunities to maximise what we want from Europe' http://www.euractiv.com/uk-europe/cameron-opportunities-maximise-w-news-516698

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