Commons to debate EU referendum

The Commons backbench business committee yesterday ordered a debate on the highly-charged issue for next Thursday after more than 100,000 people signed a petition demanding a choice.

Although approval of the motion would not be binding, it would place enormous pressure on David Cameron to respect the will of the House of Commons and seek the public’s verdict.

The Prime Minister, who has expressed his desire to take back some powers from Brussels, is publicly opposed to such an in/out referendum.

Pulling out was “the wrong answer for Britain” he told increasingly vocal eurosceptic Tories at the autumn conference in Manchester this month.

“What most people want in this country is not actually to leave the EU, but to reform the EU and make sure that the balance of powers between a country like Britain and Europe is better,” he said – insisting the priority was dealing with the eurozone crisis.

A referendum is also expected to put a great strain on the coalition agreement as the Liberal Democrats are predominantly supportive of the EU.

Nikki Sinclaire, the independent West Midlands MEP who presented the petition to Downing Street, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. This is an issue which has gone on for too long.”