Cameron: ‘I’ll stay as PM if I lose European Union referendum’

The Leave camp will no doubt argue that any concessions that Cameron return with are too flimsy to make any real difference to Britain’s relation to Europe.

He said his preference was to hold an in-out referendum on his renegotiated membership terms this summer, but hinted it could be delayed until next year if a new package is not finalised in the coming weeks.

Over the past decade the skepticism has hardened to the point where the British are the EU’s most reluctant members.

The PM insisted on Thursday that he still hopes to complete his European Union membership renegotiation next month after his Hungarian counterpart said he was “sure” British concerns about benefits abuses could be accommodated.

“That was illegal and they haven’t found a way round it”, said Mr Portes.

“Cameron’s successor will thus be able to lead a “Yes” campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union as just an “associate member”…” Anti-EU sentiment prevails in the rest of England beyond London.

However given British school holidays take up a large slice of July and August, many say September is the only realistic option.

Cameron replied: “The answer to that is yes”.

“I’ve been very heartened by the goodwill I’ve felt by fellow sister party members in the CSU here in Bavaria today”.

The Conservative leader said he is “hopeful” of reaching an agreement with European leaders on a new deal for the United Kingdom next month that he can present to voters before they go to the polls. The problem is, few in Europe want to give Mr. Cameron what he wants, either.

Earlier, the PM received a positive reception during a visit to Germany, where, touring a BMW plant in Munich, he was urged by the vehicle company bosses to keep Britain in the EU.

“We are open to listening to ideas”, Cameron said.

“Britain supports the concept of free movement”.

We want to work there, and I think that Hungarians are working well.

When the undecided are stripped out, 54 per cent of voters want a British exit, or “Brexit”, up from 51 per cent a year ago, and 46 per cent want to stay, down from 49 per cent.

“With goodwill and creative thinking we can find solutions, and that’s what we’re committed to between now and February 18”, when European leaders next hold a summit meeting to discuss Britain’s demands.

“It is a painstaking task because we’ve got 27 partners to bring along with us”.

Cameron says the concessions, taken together, represent a “pathway to a deal”.

“As I have said before – I rule nothing out”. “But I’m not, at the moment, hopeful that we’ll get a sufficient renegotiation that will satisfy my expectations”. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has promised to force another independence referendum if Britain votes to leave the EU. A vote in 2016 would also avoid a clash with the unpredictable French and German elections in 2017. “He doesn’t want to have one in the middle of a crisis going on in the euro zone either”, Prof.

“My aim is very clear – I would like to secure the future of Britain in a reformed European Union but this reform is vital”, he said. “There’s a plurality that’s scared of the consequences if we leave”.