David Cameron yesterday put Britain’s future in the EU on the line, in an audacious gamble that united his Conservative party but which could have profound implications for the party and the country.
The UK prime minister promised that if he wins the next election, he will hold an in-out referendum on Britain’s EU membership by the end of 2017, putting his faith in fellow European leaders to offer London better terms in the meantime.
Mr Cameron said in a long-awaited Europe speech that he believed that he could win a better deal for Britain – including the repatriation of powers from Brussels – insisting that “with courage and conviction” he could win the argument.