David Cameron: I will not budge on EU referendum

Prime Minister David Cameron today drew a line in the sand over Europe and warned Tory MPs he will not change policy on an in-out referendum.

Regardless of pressure on him from inside or outside the party, he said: “This policy isn’t going to change. The question isn’t going to change. The number of referenda isn’t going to change. The date we hold this referendum isn’t going to change.”

Some Right-wingers have demanded he bring forward the date, or even hold two votes, but leading Eurosceptics said they were keen to rally behind him.

Nick de Bois, an executive member of the 1922 Committee, wrote: “There is little left to divide Conservatives and considerably more to unite us.”

Tensions could erupt if the Private Member’s Bill enshrining a referendum by 2017 is defeated in the Commons.