UK Prime Minister David Cameron [official profile] announced [statement] Saturday that the UK will hold a referendum on June 23 to vote on whether the nation will remain a part of the European Union (EU) [official website].
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Speaking outside Number 10, Mr Cameron said the vote would be “one of the biggest decisions in our lifetime”. Cameron said, “all they are offering is risk at a time of uncertainty – a leap in the dark”.
David Cameron is finally going to announce the European Union referendum date, following a Cabinet meeting later this morning.
His fellow ward councillor Andy Morgan added: “I think the Prime Minister did well to get the deal he did but in my humble opinion it isn’t enough, I’m in the “out” camp”.
The upcoming referendum may see a similar dynamic, with Cameron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon all arguing from different perspectives that European Union membership is vital for Britain.
The best-selling “The Sun” opted for a tabloid version of the summit, while the “The Daily Telegraph” pictured the prime minister looking perplexed next to a headline about one of his closest political allies, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, campaigning to leave the EU.
“My responsibility is to speak plainly about what I believe is right about our country…”
“And if, at this moment of decision, I didn’t say what I believe I would not be true to my convictions or my country”, he said.
And as NPR’s Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson reported, it also frees Britain from some European Union financial regulations and restrictions.
After a tug of war between Britain and eastern European nations – who supply most of the UK’s migrants – it was agreed that new workers coming to Britain from the EU will have to wait four years before receiving benefits such as tax credits and child payments.
Gove travelled to the headquarters of the “Vote Leave” campaign alongside Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling, John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers and Priti Patel.
The majority of the cabinet are reportedly supporting Cameron’s “In” campaign. Priti Patel, the most senior Indian-origin member of the cabinet, came out openly in favour of leaving the EU.
According to the deal, references in EU treaties to ever closer union do not apply to Britain.
The group – plus Employment Minister Priti Patel who is not a full Cabinet member but attends meetings – immediately headed out from Downing Street to the Vote Leave campaign headquarters where they posed for photos with a “Let’s take back control” poster.
“The question is will we be safer, stronger and better off working together in a reformed Europe or out on our own”.
Cameron made a firm commitment three years ago to give voters a simple “in or out” referendum if he was re-elected in 2015.
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“The last thing I wanted was to go against David Cameron or the government, but after a great deal of heartache I don’t think there is anything else I can do”, Johnson told reporters outside his London home.
