Cameron hints Brexit if reformed plans with EU are not met

As the future EU referendum divides the nation, Cameron warns European leaders that Britain “will only stay in a reformed EU”

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech on EU reform, at Chatham House in London, Britain November 10, 2015. © Kirsty Wigglesworth / Reuters

When David Cameron announced during the EU reform speech at Chatham House in London last Tuesday, that he wants changes to happen in the relationship between the UK and the EU, the question about “Brexit” was raised once again.

Should the UK leave the EU or not?

Britain’s Prime Minister stated that his main priorities are “to introduce an arrangement where unwanted EU legislation could be blocked and to reduce the number of people moving to the UK from other EU countries.” Mr. Cameron gave reasoning behind these suggestions, but was immediately met with resistance over his demands.

The European Commission described Mr. Cameron’s proposals as “highly problematic”, while Jean-Claude Juncker, the Commission’s president, made it clear in a caustic speech about the UK, that Brussels is still not taking the threat of Britain leaving the EU seriously.

It is well known by now that the relationship between the UK and the EU has long been one of the most divisive issues in British politics. As John Redwood MP said “it is like a bad marriage”.

David Cameron has pledged to redraw the UK-EU relationship and hold a national referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017.

The referendum is increasingly seen by the British public as a way to settle the vast number of political issues the EU membership raises and unsurprisingly, political parties are also keen on the idea;

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson thinks that “if we are successful in our negotiations, we should stay in a reformed EU. Britain has a great deal to gain from independence and it is time our friends in the EU realise we mean it. We want to stay in, but not at any price.”

The latest poll from the Daily Mail shows a divided nation of Europhiles and Eurosceptics on whether Britain should remain a member of the EU – 51% of people would vote “No”.

Gerard Batten, UKIP MEP for London has said that “the EU is a grandiose political project, which creates an undemocratic super-state that suits the interests of a European political and ideological elite. Inside the EU, Britain will eventually cease to exist as an independent democratic nation.”

In contrast, Marina Yannakoudakis, former Conservative MEP for London, believes that a “No” vote would reopen the question about the independence of the other countries within the UK: “Wales, Scotland and Ireland all want to stay in. Does that mean that the UK would have to split?”

She also added that “it will totally be the wrong move to leave the EU. There will be many issues for England and other European countries if we go down that route.”

One thing is for sure; UK’s EU membership is in the hands of the British public and it is important that both sides of the argument are heard. It is an issue that needs to be solved with careful consideration of all the implications.

Original Sources:

Boris Johnson, Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (CON)

Gerard Batten, Member of the European Parliament for London (UKIP)

Marina Yannakoudakis, former Member of the European Parliament for London (CON)

Dr Syed Kamall, Member of the European Parliament for London (CON)