Brussels, 05/01/2015 (Agence Europe) -David Cameron, the British Conservative prime minister, said on Sunday 4 January that he wanted to hold the UK's referendum on EU membership earlier than planned. He had said previously that the referendum would be held in 2017 if his party won an overall majority in the general election in 2015.
“The referendum must take place before the end of 2017. If I think we could do that earlier I would be delighted. The sooner I can deliver on this commitment of a renegotiation and a referendum ... the better”, Cameron said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
At the end of November, he presented his plans to reduce immigration in the UK, looking principally to restrict access to social benefits for migrants from the EU member states, requiring them to contribute to the UK economy for four years before becoming eligible for in-work benefits. According to Cameron, these plans will require amendment of the European treaties. The European Commission has ruled out any changes affecting the free movement of European citizens but has indicated its willingness to sit down and discuss the issues with London. Cameron is due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in London on Wednesday 7 January to discuss these and other matters. (SP)