Yorkshire EU revolt threat to Cameron

Six of the region’s Tory MPs have already revealed their backing for a motion which will call on the Government to call a national referendum so voters can decide whether they want Britain to remain in the EU.

But despite more than 50 Tories backing the calls the Prime Minister ruled out holding a “willy-nilly referendum” this Parliament, and Downing Street made clear it expected MPs to back its stance and oppose the motion.

The motion to be debated next Monday has been tabled by backbench MPs and would not be binding on the Government, but if passed would heap pressure on Ministers. It calls for a referendum offering voters three options – staying in the EU on current terms, pulling out or re-negotiating terms of membership “based on trade and co-operation”.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney said Europe was a major concern for constituents and urged the Government to allow MPs a free vote. He backs re-negotiation of relations with the EU. “People voted to go into the common market, not a monetary union, or a political union, certainly not an organisation that has its own Foreign Minister,” he said.

Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker said: “I think it will be a great opportunity to have an intelligent debate around the pros and cons of whether we should or shouldn’t be in Europe.”

But yesterday Mr Cameron said the Government had to concentrate on helping the eurozone recover from its current crisis.

He did not rule out a referendum in the future should there be further transfer of powers from Westminster to Brussels but said: “I believe the right answer is not to hold a referendum willy-nilly in this Parliament when we have so much to do to get Europe to sort its problems out.”