The EU’s unwillingness to discuss the possibility of a ‘Brexit’ is playing into the hands of Eurosceptics

British Prime Minister David Cameron has made a commitment to hold a referendum on the UK’s EU membership, should his party win the next general election. Tim Oliver writes that while the possibility of a ‘Brexit’ has been much discussed in the UK context, across the rest of the EU the issue has largely been downplayed or avoided. He argues that if EU leaders continue to remain silent on the topic it may add momentum to the arguments of British Eurosceptics.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Europe without Britain. Assessing the Impact on the European Union of a British Withdrawal http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-without-britain-assessing-the-impact-on-the-european-union-of-a-british-withdrawal/

ESO: Background Information: Barroso savages British Tories for 'looking like UKIP' http://www.europeansources.info/record/barroso-savages-british-tories-for-looking-like-ukip/

ESO: Background Information: In Europe, not ruled by Europe: Tough love between Britain and the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/in-europe-not-ruled-by-europe-tough-love-between-britain-and-the-eu/

ESO: Background Information: German MPs warn UK EU exit would be 'economic disaster' http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-mps-warn-uk-eu-exit-would-be-economic-disaster/

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