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| Europe: Conservative group demands return of powers to UK | Europe: Conservative group demands return of powers to UK |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A group of Conservative backbench MPs is to publish a report later calling for a substantial return of powers to the UK from the European Union. | A group of Conservative backbench MPs is to publish a report later calling for a substantial return of powers to the UK from the European Union. |
| Fresh Start, which says it is backed by more than 100 Tory MPs, wants the UK to remain in the union, but with "significant revisions" to treaties. | Fresh Start, which says it is backed by more than 100 Tory MPs, wants the UK to remain in the union, but with "significant revisions" to treaties. |
| Foreign Secretary William Hague has backed the report. | Foreign Secretary William Hague has backed the report. |
| Its publication comes ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron's long-awaited speech on the UK and Europe on Friday. | Its publication comes ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron's long-awaited speech on the UK and Europe on Friday. |
| In his address in the Netherlands, Mr Cameron is expected to support a loosening of the UK's relationship with the EU, endorsed by a referendum. | In his address in the Netherlands, Mr Cameron is expected to support a loosening of the UK's relationship with the EU, endorsed by a referendum. |
| However, Ken Clarke, a veteran pro-European, who attends the cabinet as a minister without portfolio, >told the Financial Times that any referendum would be a "gamble" that could lead to the UK leaving the union. | |
| "I think if Britain ever does leave the European Union, it will be difficult to adjust to our loss of a leading role in the political evolution of Europe and our reduced role in the global political world," he said. | "I think if Britain ever does leave the European Union, it will be difficult to adjust to our loss of a leading role in the political evolution of Europe and our reduced role in the global political world," he said. |
| 'Manifesto for change' | 'Manifesto for change' |
| BBC political correspondent Chris Mason says the breadth of contributions to the debate on the UK's relationship with the EU is a striking indication of the anticipation surrounding Mr Cameron's speech. | BBC political correspondent Chris Mason says the breadth of contributions to the debate on the UK's relationship with the EU is a striking indication of the anticipation surrounding Mr Cameron's speech. |
| Our correspondent says Fresh Start - founded by George Eustice, Andrea Leadsom and Chris Heaton-Harris - aims to provide a range of ideas for a prime minister attempting to strike a new deal at a time when he says the European Union is changing. | Our correspondent says Fresh Start - founded by George Eustice, Andrea Leadsom and Chris Heaton-Harris - aims to provide a range of ideas for a prime minister attempting to strike a new deal at a time when he says the European Union is changing. |
| Launching its "manifesto for change", the group will demand the repatriation of key powers in order to retain the UK's "national democratic accountability", according to the Daily Telegraph. | Launching its "manifesto for change", the group will demand the repatriation of key powers in order to retain the UK's "national democratic accountability", according to the Daily Telegraph. |
| It will insist on "significant revisions" to EU treaties, arguing for the return of control over all social and employment law, including the working time directive, which it will highlight as a burden on the UK. | It will insist on "significant revisions" to EU treaties, arguing for the return of control over all social and employment law, including the working time directive, which it will highlight as a burden on the UK. |
| The MPs will also call for the introduction of an "emergency brake" on financial services regulation, and the long term repatriation of agricultural policy to member states. | The MPs will also call for the introduction of an "emergency brake" on financial services regulation, and the long term repatriation of agricultural policy to member states. |
| However, other Conservatives - including Mr Clarke - have urged Mr Cameron to be cautious. | However, other Conservatives - including Mr Clarke - have urged Mr Cameron to be cautious. |
| And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned it would be "unwise" to create "a prolonged period of uncertainty" over Britain's relationship with Europe. | And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned it would be "unwise" to create "a prolonged period of uncertainty" over Britain's relationship with Europe. |
| Speaking to the Guardian, Britain's former ambassador in Washington, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, said a move away from Europe, or leaving entirely, would diminish the UK's international clout. | Speaking to the Guardian, Britain's former ambassador in Washington, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, said a move away from Europe, or leaving entirely, would diminish the UK's international clout. |
| He said recent warnings by the US administration urging Britain against staging a distracting referendum was "a conscious decision by the Obama administration to intervene in the UK debate". | He said recent warnings by the US administration urging Britain against staging a distracting referendum was "a conscious decision by the Obama administration to intervene in the UK debate". |
| Sir Nigel, who is a member of the think tank Business for New Europe, added: "If Britain is active and influential in Washington, that makes us more influential in Brussels, Delhi and elsewhere. | Sir Nigel, who is a member of the think tank Business for New Europe, added: "If Britain is active and influential in Washington, that makes us more influential in Brussels, Delhi and elsewhere. |
| "I just cannot see any logical basis for thinking a move to the sidelines, or particularly a move out of Europe, would be anything other than diminishing to the UK's capacity, standing, influence, ability to get things done and capacity to build coalitions internationally." | "I just cannot see any logical basis for thinking a move to the sidelines, or particularly a move out of Europe, would be anything other than diminishing to the UK's capacity, standing, influence, ability to get things done and capacity to build coalitions internationally." |
| 'Change under way' | 'Change under way' |
| The prime minister has faced pressure to hold a referendum on Europe and has been criticised by some in his own party for not doing more to get powers back from the EU to the UK. | The prime minister has faced pressure to hold a referendum on Europe and has been criticised by some in his own party for not doing more to get powers back from the EU to the UK. |
| Pro-European Tory peer Lord Heseltine and a series of leaders of large British businesses have said the uncertainty caused by the idea of a future referendum would jeopardise the UK's business prospects. | Pro-European Tory peer Lord Heseltine and a series of leaders of large British businesses have said the uncertainty caused by the idea of a future referendum would jeopardise the UK's business prospects. |
| Mr Cameron's speech is expected to contain plans for a future referendum on the nature of the relationship, although he has said he wants the UK to remain within the EU. | Mr Cameron's speech is expected to contain plans for a future referendum on the nature of the relationship, although he has said he wants the UK to remain within the EU. |
| The audience will be made up of business people, EU diplomats and other interested parties, Downing Street has confirmed. | The audience will be made up of business people, EU diplomats and other interested parties, Downing Street has confirmed. |
| Labour has described Mr Cameron's Europe policy as a "shambles". | Labour has described Mr Cameron's Europe policy as a "shambles". |
| But the PM has said the EU is already in the process of change because of the recent eurozone crisis. | But the PM has said the EU is already in the process of change because of the recent eurozone crisis. |