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UK risks 'turning inwards' over EU referendum - US official UK risks 'turning inwards' over EU referendum - US official
(35 minutes later)
The Obama administration has publicly expressed concern about the impact of a UK referendum on its future relationship with the EU.The Obama administration has publicly expressed concern about the impact of a UK referendum on its future relationship with the EU.
Philip Gordon, a senior official in the US State Department, said it was in America's interests to see a "strong British voice within the EU".Philip Gordon, a senior official in the US State Department, said it was in America's interests to see a "strong British voice within the EU".
"Referendums have often turned countries inwards," he added."Referendums have often turned countries inwards," he added.
The comments come as David Cameron prepares to make a major speech later this month on future European policy.The comments come as David Cameron prepares to make a major speech later this month on future European policy.
A No 10 spokesman said: "The US wants an outward-looking EU with Britain in it, and so do we."
The prime minister is facing pressure to hold a referendum on Europe at some stage during the next Parliament and has said the Conservatives will offer voters "real change" and "real choice" on the UK's position in Europe at the next election.The prime minister is facing pressure to hold a referendum on Europe at some stage during the next Parliament and has said the Conservatives will offer voters "real change" and "real choice" on the UK's position in Europe at the next election.
'Outward-looking EU' Single currency
Mr Cameron wants the UK to remain within the EU but believes there is a need to redefine the relationship in light of moves towards further integration by countries using the single currency.Mr Cameron wants the UK to remain within the EU but believes there is a need to redefine the relationship in light of moves towards further integration by countries using the single currency.
He has suggested "fresh consent" for any new deal that emerges as a result of negotiations with other EU countries could be sought from the UK public.He has suggested "fresh consent" for any new deal that emerges as a result of negotiations with other EU countries could be sought from the UK public.
However, many Tory MPs want him to go further and to commit to a referendum on the question of whether the UK remains in the EU or not - a so-called "in-out vote" he does not support.However, many Tory MPs want him to go further and to commit to a referendum on the question of whether the UK remains in the EU or not - a so-called "in-out vote" he does not support.
Philip Gordon, the U.S. assistant secretary for European Affairs in the State Department, was asked about the possibility of a UK referendum ahead of a meeting with Europe minister David Lidington in London. Philip Gordon, the US assistant secretary for European affairs in the State Department, was asked about the possibility of a UK referendum ahead of a meeting with Europe minister David Lidington in London.
He told journalists that the UK would always be a key ally of the US and that "what is in the UK's interests is up to the UK". Mr Gordon told journalists that the UK would always be a key ally of the US and that "what is in the UK's interests is up to the UK".
'Common challenges'
But he added: "We have a growing relationship with the EU as an institution, which has an increasing voice in the world, and we want to see a strong British voice in that EU. That is in America's interests. We welcome an outward-looking EU with Britain in it."But he added: "We have a growing relationship with the EU as an institution, which has an increasing voice in the world, and we want to see a strong British voice in that EU. That is in America's interests. We welcome an outward-looking EU with Britain in it."
'Common challenges'
Discussing the often "inward-looking" history of EU negotiations, Mr Gordon said that "referendums have often turned countries inward".Discussing the often "inward-looking" history of EU negotiations, Mr Gordon said that "referendums have often turned countries inward".
"The more the EU reflects on its internal debate the less it is able to be unified," he said. "The more the EU reflects on its internal debate, the less it is able to be unified," he said.
"I'm not going to imagine an EU which ever buried any internal debates . . . but it is best for everyone, we think, when leaders have the time to be able to focus on common challenges rather than spending their time on internal workings."
Earlier on Tuesday, ten of the UK's leading business figures warned Mr Cameron not to put membership of the EU "at risk" in negotiations over the country's relationship with Brussels. "I'm not going to imagine an EU which ever buried any internal debates... but it is best for everyone, we think, when leaders have the time to be able to focus on common challenges rather than spending their time on internal workings."
BBC chief political correspondent Norman Smith said it was a "significant development" in the debate over Europe ahead of Mr Cameron's speech and showed a measure of disquiet in Washington over the "direction of travel" that the UK may be taking.
Earlier on Tuesday, 10 of the UK's leading business figures warned Mr Cameron not to put membership of the EU "at risk" in negotiations over the country's relationship with Brussels.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said: "On the same day that top British business leaders fired a warning shot across the bows of the prime minister, a senior White House official has also signalled concerns about the possibility of Britain leaving the EU.
"There is today a real risk of Britain sleepwalking towards exit because of a prime minister motivated more by the need for party unity than by the interests of the country."