EU referendum: Cameron sets June date for UK vote

Britain will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday 23 June, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.



The prime minister made his historic announcement in Downing Street after briefing the cabinet.

He said he would be campaigning to remain in a reformed EU - and described the vote as one of the biggest decisions "in our lifetimes".

Ministers immediately divided up into the leave and remain camps as the campaigns got under way in earnest.

Home Secretary Theresa May heads the list of those who have announced they will campaign to stay - but Justice Secretary Michael Gove has signed up to the leave campaign.

Leave campaigners are also hoping London Mayor Boris Johnson will join their cause - but he has yet to declare where he stands.

In his statement, Mr Cameron warned that leaving the European Union would be a "leap in the dark" as he urged voters to back his reform deal.

"Those who want to leave Europe cannot tell you if British businesses would be able to access Europe's free trade single market, or if working people's jobs are safe, or how much prices would rise. All they're offering is a risk at a time of uncertainty - a leap in the dark."

In a direct appeal to voters, he said: "The choice is in your hands - but my recommendation is clear. I believe that Britain will be safer, stronger and better off by remaining in a reformed European Union."

The result has already been decided so why go through the charade of holding a referendum?

There was another PM come back from Europe with a piece of worthless paper back in 1938.

The next stage in this carefully choreographed farce is where the leading Tories who pretended to be anti-EU suddenly switch their allegiance.

The next stage in this carefully choreographed farce is where the leading Tories who pretended to be anti-EU suddenly switch their allegiance.

You aren't alone in your thinking. I came across this on another site I use....

I can't help thinking it is all part of some Tory master plan to maintain power at all costs. Boris and call me Dave are cut from the same cloth, same school, same university, same private clubs, same party. I cannot believe that this was an off the cuff move by Boris, Cameron and him must have got together at some time. They work to five year plans, Brexit, Goldsmith to Mayor, and party leadership would have all been discussed. So the cynic in me thinks we are being played by the old school tie, again!

On tv the other night it was said Boris is after Camerons job as he would be next in line for . I heard if the vote is out of the EU Cameron will loose his job. In the news yesterday I. Duncan Smith wants out too perhaps he is afraid he might be sent to the Hague for the deaths of so many disabled people he has killed off.

Iain Duncan Smith has dug a grave for himself. Cameron was the only friend he had in the cabinet, he is toast now.

It's not the first time either. Back when IDS was leader of the party he forced a vote on gay rights which split the Tories just before a general election.

IN or OUT, I reckon Camoron [sic] is finished.

EU reforms 'not legally binding' - Michael Gove



David Cameron's EU reforms are not legally binding and could be overturned by European judges, Justice Secretary Michael Gove has told the BBC.

Mr Gove - one of five cabinet ministers campaigning for the UK to quit the EU - told the BBC the European Court of Justice was "not bound" by the PM's agreement until treaties are changed.

On Monday, Mr Cameron told MPs: "The reforms that we have secured will be legally binding in international law, and will be deposited as a treaty at the United Nations.

"They cannot be unpicked without the agreement of Britain and every other EU country."

Mr Gove, a close friend of the PM, told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg "the facts are that the European Court of Justice is not bound by this agreement until treaties are changed and we don't know when that will be".

He said Mr Cameron was "absolutely right that this is a deal between 28 nations all of whom believe it", adding: "But the whole point about the European Court of Justice is that it stands above the nation states."

Mr Cameron has "not been misleading anyone", Mr Gove went on, but he added: "I do think it's important that people also realise that the European Court of Justice stands above every nation state, and ultimately it will decide on the basis of the treaties and this deal is not yet in the treaties."

Michael Gove faces sack over his opposition to European Union



Michael Gove is facing the sack as Justice Secretary in the wake of his decision to oppose the Prime Minister’s bid to keep Britain in the European Union, The Telegraph understands.

David Cameron is being urged by ministerial allies to remove Mr Gove from his post in the weeks following the in-out referendum on June 23 after he questioned the legal basis of Britain’s deal with Brussels.

Mr Gove said on Wednesday that the European Court of Justice "stands above every nation state" and could overturn the agreement.

He also attacked Mr Cameron’s immigration policy and said it stops Britain having “control” over “the type of people that we want in this country”.

In comments that risked further alienating Mr Cameron and his pro-EU allies, Mr Gove said that the EU is “creating misery on our borders”.

According to well-placed sources, Mr Cameron has been angered by Mr Gove because the Justice Secretary assured him he would keep a “low profile” after declaring that he will campaign to leave the EU.

Following Mr Gove’s interview on Wednesday, officials in Mr Gove’s department were reportedly instructed by Number 10 not to give him access to Government documents concerning the EU.

One ministerial ally of Mr Cameron's said: "It is untenable to have a Justice Secretary after the referendum who opposed the legal basis of the Prime Minister's deal. It just won't work."

Friends of Mr Gove’s on Wednesday night said that Mr Cameron “will have a serious fight on his hands” if he attempts to sack him as Justice Secretary.

A politician sacked for telling the truth? - Now there's a novelty.