Cameron will not back proposed referendum on Britain's future in EU - The Guardian

David Cameron has told Eurosceptics in the Conservative party that he will not back a proposal to hold a referendum on Britain's future in Europe.

The prime minister made his comments in the Commons as MPs prepare to hold a debate next week on whether to stage an in/out referendum.

The Tory MP Andrew Rosindell attempted to rally Cameron to the cause at prime minister's questions, telling him the British people were "crying out" for a referendum on the future of Europe.

But the prime minister said the focus should be on sorting out Europe's problems and helping the eurozone to recover from its crisis.

He said the Conservative party was committed to the return of powers from Brussels to Westminster, as well as to a referendum if further powers were passed.

"That promise is good for the whole of this parliament and beyond," he told MPs. "But I don't support holding a referendum come what may – that is not our policy, and I will not be supporting that motion.

"I completely understand and share the frustration that many have about the way the European Union goes about its business … but I have to say the key focus is let's get on top of the EU budget, let's keep Britain out of the bail-out schemes, let's make sure the single market is working."

Next Thursday's vote on an in/out referendum was ordered by the backbench business committee after a petition with more than 100,000 signatures was received. A vote in favour of a referendum would not technically be binding, but would put huge pressure on Cameron to promise one at a later date.

Most of the around 60 MPs who have signed the motion, which calls for the country to be given a three-way choice between remaining in the EU, leaving or negotiating the terms of a looser relationship "based on trade and co-operation", are Conservatives.

No 10 is keeping its options open over whether MPs will be whipped for the vote on a motion tabled by supporters of a public vote, led by the Tory backbencher David Nuttall.

Reports suggest they may be subjected to a three-line whip requiring them to follow the party line in voting against a referendum, though some expect a less strict single-line whip, which is not binding.

Cameron's official spokesman said on Wednesday: "We have not set out the precise whipping arrangements – but we have a clear policy on a referendum, and that is that there should be a referendum if there is a transfer of powers from Westminster to Brussels.

"As a general principle, the prime minister would expect MPs to support the government's position on an issue."

The London Evening Standard has reported that at least 50 Tories plan to vote against the party, with the prospect of some Conservative ministerial aides resigning.

Mark Pritchard, the secretary of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, told the Standard: "Whether it is a one-line whip or a three-line whip, the voice of the people, through parliament, must be heard and the government must act sooner rather than later to address the increasing democratic illegitimacy of the out of date 1975 referendum result."

Nuttall told the BBC2 Daily Politics show the government would be hard-pressed to ignore calls for a referendum on Britain's involvement in the EU were such a motion to be passed by the Commons.

He said: "It is 36 years since we last had a referendum on this issue. It is entirely in line with what we stood on [in the election], and I believe that, if this legislation was passed, it would strengthen the hand of the government in their dealings with the EU.

"If the House of Commons passes this motion, any government would be hard-pressed to ignore the democratic will of the British people. What matters is what is good for the country and good for British businesses."