| Author (Person) | Parker, George |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Financial Times |
| Series Details | 19.10.11 |
| Publication Date | 19/10/2011 |
| Content Type | News |
|
United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron faced a political headache after Members of Parliament agreed on the 18 October 2011 to stage a House of Commons debate on the 27 October 2011 on holding a referendum on UK membership of the European Union, including the option of withdrawing altogether. Mr Cameron opposed the proposal, arguing that Britain benefits from its membership of the EU and that a referendum would be a distraction at a time when the country and the eurozone are in the midst of an economic crisis. Subsequently, the debate was moved to the 24 October 2011 to allow the Foreign Secretary and David Cameron to attend and participate in the vote. The UK Prime Minister vowed to face down Conservative MPs over their demands for a referendum on Europe, in spite of warnings that scores of rebel backbenchers could defy the prime minister and that five junior government members could quit in protest. Mr Cameron would side with Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs in the tense House of Commons vote the 24 October 2011, ensuring that a motion calling for Britain’s first referendum on Europe since 1975 was certain to be defeated. |
|
| Related Links |
|
| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
