Queen sets out PM鈥檚 EU plans in speech
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Britain鈥檚 Queen Elizabeth set in motion Prime Minister David Cameron鈥檚 plans for a European Union membership referendum yesterday as he faced pressure to explain when it will be held and what changes to the EU he wants beforehand.
Cameron, who says he would prefer to stay inside a reformed EU but isn鈥檛 鈥渞uling anything out鈥 if it fails to change, was re-elected on May 7 on a pledge to reshape ties with the bloc before allowing Britons to vote on whether to stay or leave.
Donning her crown as she sat on a gilded throne in a packed House of Lords, the 89-year-old queen outlined the referendum plans in a speech written for her by Cameron鈥檚 Conservative government as she opened parliament with a customary display of pomp.
鈥淢y government will renegotiate the United Kingdom鈥檚 relationship with the European Union and pursue reform of the European Union for the benefit of all member states,鈥 the queen told an audience made up of politicians and lords clad in crimson robes trimmed with white ermine.
鈥淎longside this, early legislation will be introduced to provide for an in-out referendum on membership of the European Union before the end of 2017.鈥
The law will be introduced into parliament today as Cameron begins a European tour to try to charm sometimes reluctant counterparts into endorsing EU reform.
The tour will include talks with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Cameron has said he would be ready to hold the referendum before 2017 if he completes the renegotiation early, something some pro-EU campaigners advocate. But he is under pressure from some of his own Eurosceptic lawmakers who want him to ask for more and to take his time reaching any deal.
Some EU politicians have complained they do not know enough, beyond 鈥渂road and nebulous goals,鈥 about what it is Cameron wants to change. He says he wants to decouple Britain from the EU鈥檚 official aim of 鈥渆ver closer union鈥 and to be able to restrict EU migrants鈥 access to Britain鈥檚 welfare system.
Cameron is adamant that such changes would require re-opening the EU鈥檚 founding treaties, something countries like France are opposed to.
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