Queen’s Speech 2015: Everything we know so far including the EU referendum, devolution, Human Rights Act, income tax, housing and Scotland May 26, 2015 The Queen's Speech will unveil the Conservative government's policy agenda on Wednesday and having shed its coalition partner at the General Election, some pretty major shifts in policy are expected. Here are some of the top pledges expected to feature in the state opening of parliament tomorrow. EU referendum bill Having committed to holding an [...]
David Cameron starts EU reform road show with Jean-Claude Juncker vow May 25, 2015 European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker last night promised to help solve David Cameron’s EU dilemma, as the Prime Minister sets off on a month-long European tour to drum up support for his reform plan. Cameron began his charm offensive by hosting Juncker for a working dinner at his Chequers country estate. The Prime Minister laid [...]
Q&A: Who will vote in an in/out EU referendum? May 25, 2015 Q Who will be able to vote in an in/out referendum on Britain’s EU membership? A The Prime Minister is proposing that the electorate which is able to vote in General Elections, rather than local or European parliament elections, will be allowed to cast ballots in the EU referendum. Q What is the difference [...]
Could an early EU referendum scupper the UK’s chances of a successful renegotiation? May 25, 2015 Brian Monteith, communications director of Global Britain, says Yes. An early referendum helps only the most slavish one-European-state federalists supporting the unreformed status quo. Time is needed to first convince the EU that treaty change is required, so it can be enshrined in law. Second, to secure detailed change, not sound-good slogans that are just [...]
EU referendum: Over one million migrants will be barred from voting May 25, 2015 Over 1m European migrants living in Britain will not be able to vote in the EU referendum, unless they qualify to vote in General Elections David Cameron has decided. The prime minister’s move will placate some Eurosceptics on the right of the Conservative party, who were afraid voting restrictions would follow the looser rules of [...]
The SNP wants 16 year olds to vote in EU referendum, says party’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson May 24, 2015 Young people aged 16 and 17 years old should be given the chance to vote in a EU referendum, according to the SNP. Angus Robertson, the party’s leader in Westminster, wrote in the Guardian that the SNP would fight for an amendment to the EU referendum bill allowing youngsters the same chance to vote as [...]
Labour has performed a U-turn on the EU membership referendum, as Cameron prepares legislation May 24, 2015 Labour has performed a balletic U-turn this morning, abandoning its opposition to EU membership referendum. Harriet Harman, the acting leader of the party, has given David Cameron a boost by saying her party will vote in favour of the Conservative’s bill, which would see a vote on the UK’s EU membership before the end of [...]
Email slip-up reveals Bank of England’s investigation into what would happen if UK left the EU May 23, 2015 The Bank of England is carrying out a confidential investigation into what would happen if the UK left the European Union (EU), an email accidentally sent to The Guardian has revealed. It discloses details of a special task force set up by the central bank to look into the economic consequences of a UK exit, [...]
David Cameron refuses to be drawn on timeline for an EU referendum during negotiations in Riga May 22, 2015 Talks in Riga over the UK's position in Europe were merely "scratching the surface", David Cameron said today, and refused to be drawn on the timing of an EU referendum. Read more: Spencer – EU referendum must not be rushed "I will not give time lines and deadlines and a running commentary on the referendum plans," [...]
David Cameron fires starting gun for grand bargain with Europe May 22, 2015 Newly re-elected Prime minister David Cameron will hold his first talks with European Union leaders today, as he attempts to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership in the bloc ahead of a referendum in 2017. "Today I will start discussions in earnest with fellow leaders on reforming the EU and renegotiating the UK's relationship with [...]