Tory rally behind referendum Bill

David Cameron is putting pressure on Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs to back legislation requiring an in/out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union by the end of 2017.

The party launched a campaign website designed to rally support behind Tory MP James Wharton’s private member’s bill before it is debated in the Commons on July 5, when it will need the votes of Labour and Lib Dem MPs to pass.

The legislation could not be a Government bill because of opposition from Lib Dem coalition partners. The campaign explicitly urges backers of a referendum to put pressure on Labour and Lib Dem MPs to defy their leaderships.