EU referendum could be held as early as 2016
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...EU-reform.html
Philip Hammond seeks fast settlement on EU
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond signalled that Britain will not insist on major treaty change during negotiations over the country’s future relationship with Europe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daily Telegraph
Philip Hammond has signalled that Britain will not insist on major treaty change during negotiations over the country’s future relationship with Europe.
The Foreign Secretary told the Financial Times that treaty change was not “in itself” a political goal for the British government, adding: “For the vast majority of the British people the important thing is where we end up, the outcome.”
Earlier this week, David Cameron’s hopes for a far-reaching overhaul of Britain’s relationship with the EU were dealt a setback when Germany said it would not be rushed into changing the bloc’s treaties to meet UK demands.
Mr Hammond’s comments suggest the government is considering creative legal ways to achieve reform, without the need for lengthy treaty negotiations.
Asked whether treaty change should form part of the talks, Mr Hammond said: “That is how I want this process to end up: a good package of reforms; a ‘yes’ vote; and a step change in the way the relationship works, with Britain being really engaged and a loud voice in the union.”
Mr Hammond also echoed Bank of England Governor Mark Carney’s call for a speedy resolution of the European question, calling for a “fast” settlement.
His comments will now raise expectations of a possible vote in 2016.
I am still very weary about a referendum however thinking about it, given the demands of the government are unlikely to yield any real changes other than flim flam (as was the case in 1975) we have the bonus that people are much less trusting nowadays of what they are told, they have the internet to debunk what is said and as seen in the Scottish referendum: it's possible to achieve a much bigger swingback when you are the underdog.
We will end up leaving eventually of course, as the EU is hellbent on political unification of which Britain can't be a part of. The only question is, do we leave now and achieve a better global future for ourselves via the Commonwealth while we can, or do we throw the opportunity away, wait 10 years, and find ourselves unwilling to go along with political union but also alone in that the Commonwealth countries have already pressed ahead with separate trade deals themselves? That's my big concern: I know we will leave, but we're literally throwing the chances we're being given now with global growth away.
Thoughts?
