Tory rebels warned off over vote on staying in the EU

Mr Cameron urged more than 50 Tory MPs who have signed up to a motion calling for the nation to decide whether to remain in the EU to stand down, saying the party had not proposed such a referendum at the General Election.

Mr Cameron is facing his biggest rebellion since becoming Prime Minister with six Yorkshire MPs among the confirmed rebels.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said his party will vote with Mr Cameron against a referendum and accused the Tories of “squabbling” over Europe, but with junior Ministers and government aides facing the sack if they join the rebellion, the Prime Minister warned his MPs to stay in line.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “I completely understand my colleagues’ frustration with the way the European Union sometimes behaves and I totally share their frustration that too many powers have been passed from Westminster to Brussels and we would like some of those powers back.

“But I don’t think it’s in the national interest for Britain to leave the European Union so I’m don’t support an in-out referendum. None of us were elected on a manifesto for an in-out referendum.”

So far, six of the region’s MPs have backed Monday’s motion, which will call for legislation to be introduced next year to allow a referendum. They are former Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, Shipley’s Philip Davies, Brigg and Goole’s Andrew Percy, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney, Calder Valley’s Craig Whittaker and Cleethorpes’ Martin Vickers.

But last night George Eustice, a leading eurosceptic among Tory MPs elected last year, said he would table an amendment which he hopes could win Government support. It will call for the Government to publish a White Paper next year setting out powers which could be restored to Westminster from Brussels, start negotiating with the EU and promise a referendum when negotiations are complete.