PM hints at post-election EU vote (From Hampshire Chronicle)

PM hints at post-election EU vote

2:59pm Friday 28th September 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

There will be an opportunity after the general election for the British people to give "fresh consent" to UK membership of the European Union, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

It is the strongest indication yet from Mr Cameron that he may be ready to call a referendum on EU membership, if returned to power.

The Prime Minister said he believes remaining in the EU is in Britain's interests.

Speaking in a round of TV interviews during his visit to Brazil, the PM said: "I don't think it is in Britain's interests to leave the EU but I do think what it is increasingly becoming the time for is a new settlement between Britain and Europe, and I think that new settlement will require fresh consent.

"In the next parliament, I think there will be opportunities for a fresh settlement and for new consent to that settlement. There is a reason why. The euro is a currency with 17 different countries. I think, increasingly, one currency will mean one economic policy.

"They are going to change and that will give us opportunities for changing our relationship with Europe.

"I argue for Britain's membership because I want to be able to say to countries like Brazil 'Come to Britain and you can sell to the 320 million consumers across Europe'.

"I argue for Britain's membership because I think it is in our interests. If I didn't think it was in our interests, I wouldn't argue for British membership."

Asked whether he would use the UK's EU opt-out on justice and policing, Mr Cameron told the BBC: "That has to be done by the end of the year.

"The opt-out is there, we will be exercising that opt-out. The key thing then is which of the array of things you can come out of do you actually think are good for Britain and you want to co-operate with European partners on, and that is the discussion we are having at the moment."