Cameron says EU status quo ‘not good enough’

David Cameron has called for “flexible and imaginative” reforms in the European Union during a whistlestop tour of Europe to lobby for changes to the 28-nation bloc. Cameron’s two-day tour came as his government published a law paving the way for a vote on whether Britain should leave the EU that must be held by the end of 2017. The prime minister has moved rapidly to kickstart efforts to secure EU reforms before the referendum which he promised voters ahead of his surprise election win earlier this month.

My priority is to reform the European Union to make it more competitive and to address the concerns that British people have about our membership.

David Cameron

Among changes Cameron is seeking are tougher requirements for EU migrants to claim state benefits in Britain. He also wants Britain to be able to opt out of the commitment to “ever closer union”. The British premier intends to speak to every EU leader before a summit in Brussels next month where the proposed British reforms will be discussed in more detail. If Cameron can secure the concessions he wants, he will campaign to stay in the EU. Most opinion polls currently suggest voters would also back remaining part of the bloc.

Politics Cameron