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Q&A: What Britain wants from Europe Q&A: What Britain wants from Europe
(6 months later)
David Cameron says he has a mandate to pursue EU reform following the Conservatives' general election victory. The PM, who will be hoping his majority government will give him extra leverage in Brussels, wants to renegotiate the terms of the UK's membership ahead of a referendum by the end of 2017. He has said he will campaign for Britain to remain in the EU if he gets the reforms he wants. David Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of the UK's membership ahead of a referendum by the end of 2017. He has said he will campaign for Britain to remain in the EU if he gets the reforms he wants.
What is Britain looking for?What is Britain looking for?
Mr Cameron has said he does not want to reveal full details of his negotiating hand but he has given a broad indication, in a series of speeches and newspaper articles, of his priorities when he goes into talks with other EU leaders. Mr Cameron said he did not want to reveal full details of his negotiating hand before serious discussions get under way.
These are: Through a series of speeches and newspaper articles, he has given an overview of his priorities but, on Tuesday, he set down his objectives on paper for the first time in a letter to Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council.
His four key objectives are:
What else does Mr Cameron want?What else does Mr Cameron want?
The Conservatives want to free business from red tape and "excessive interference" from Brussels and to provide access to new markets through "turbo charging" free trade deals with America and Asia.
They also want trade barriers in the services and digital sectors to be removed to create a truly single market as well as specific protections for the City of London.
They support continued enlargement of the EU to new members but with new mechanisms in place to "prevent vast migrations across the Continent".
The prime minister has said Britain would resist any move towards a European Army and that he wants to free British police forces from EU interference. He has also ruled out Britain joining the euro.The prime minister has said Britain would resist any move towards a European Army and that he wants to free British police forces from EU interference. He has also ruled out Britain joining the euro.
But he has placed less emphasis in recent years on demanding changes to EU social policy, such as the maximum 48-hour working week, agency workers, maternity leave and non-discrimination rules. But he has placed less emphasis in recent years on demanding changes to EU social policy, such as the maximum 48-hour working week, agency workers, maternity leave and non-discrimination rules - amid pressure from trade unions to leave such protections intact.
When will the referendum be held?When will the referendum be held?
The official UK government position is that a referendum will be held by the end of 2017 but Downing Street sources have said: "If we can do it earlier we will."The official UK government position is that a referendum will be held by the end of 2017 but Downing Street sources have said: "If we can do it earlier we will."
There is speculation David Cameron is planning to hold the vote in 2016 to avoid a clash with French and German elections in 2017.There is speculation David Cameron is planning to hold the vote in 2016 to avoid a clash with French and German elections in 2017.
The prime minister wants treaty change but even if the referendum was held in 2017 there may not be enough time to legally incorporate any reforms into a treaty and it would have to be done at a later stage.The prime minister wants treaty change but even if the referendum was held in 2017 there may not be enough time to legally incorporate any reforms into a treaty and it would have to be done at a later stage.
An early referendum would anger Eurosceptics who believe it would not allow enough time to make the case for exit or negotiate any meaningful concessions.An early referendum would anger Eurosceptics who believe it would not allow enough time to make the case for exit or negotiate any meaningful concessions.
"A rushed process would severely undermine the chances to secure a significant deal that both British business and voters could support and would waste the opportunity of a lifetime," Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Business for Britain told Breitbart London."A rushed process would severely undermine the chances to secure a significant deal that both British business and voters could support and would waste the opportunity of a lifetime," Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Business for Britain told Breitbart London.
What will the question be?What will the question be?
The question is always crucial in any referendum and there is already a debate about what it should be. The Draft European Union (Referendum) Bill, published by the Conservatives in 2013, proposed this form of words: "Do you think that the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union?"The question is always crucial in any referendum and there is already a debate about what it should be. The Draft European Union (Referendum) Bill, published by the Conservatives in 2013, proposed this form of words: "Do you think that the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union?"
Some thought that leaned too far towards the status quo, encouraging a yes vote, and the Electoral Commission said it was not clear and direct enough. The watchdog proposed this form of words instead: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?"Some thought that leaned too far towards the status quo, encouraging a yes vote, and the Electoral Commission said it was not clear and direct enough. The watchdog proposed this form of words instead: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?"
What about the European Court of Human Rights?What about the European Court of Human Rights?
The new Conservative government will attempt to repeal the Human Rights Act, which requires UK courts to treat the European Court of Human Rights as setting legal precedents for the UK, in favour of a British Bill of Rights.The new Conservative government will attempt to repeal the Human Rights Act, which requires UK courts to treat the European Court of Human Rights as setting legal precedents for the UK, in favour of a British Bill of Rights.
The European Court of Human Rights is not a European Union institution. It was set up by the Council of Europe (CoE), which has 47 members including Russia and Ukraine.The European Court of Human Rights is not a European Union institution. It was set up by the Council of Europe (CoE), which has 47 members including Russia and Ukraine.
What about freedom of movement?What about freedom of movement?
The freedom for people to move around Europe, enshrined in the EU treaties, works in parallel with the other three basic freedoms in the single market: freedom of goods, capital and services.The freedom for people to move around Europe, enshrined in the EU treaties, works in parallel with the other three basic freedoms in the single market: freedom of goods, capital and services.
It is likely to be a "red line" for other EU leaders, who do not want to see it eroded.It is likely to be a "red line" for other EU leaders, who do not want to see it eroded.
Mr Cameron has steered clear of tackling it directly - for example by asking for an emergency "brake" on free movement, or a cap on numbers - focusing instead on reducing the incentive provided by welfare payments.Mr Cameron has steered clear of tackling it directly - for example by asking for an emergency "brake" on free movement, or a cap on numbers - focusing instead on reducing the incentive provided by welfare payments.
What are David Cameron's welfare demands?What are David Cameron's welfare demands?
In a speech last November, David Cameron set out measures to reduce the number of EU nationals moving to the UK.In a speech last November, David Cameron set out measures to reduce the number of EU nationals moving to the UK.
His main proposals were:His main proposals were:
How have EU leaders reacted?How have EU leaders reacted?
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has said he is ready to work with Mr Cameron to "strike a fair deal for the United Kingdom in the EU".Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has said he is ready to work with Mr Cameron to "strike a fair deal for the United Kingdom in the EU".
But his spokesman reacted to the publication of Mr Cameron's negotiation objectives by warning that restrictions on benefits for new arrivals to the UK would be "highly problematic" as they affected the "fundamental freedoms of our internal market" and amounted to "direct discrimination between EU citizens".
The leaders of other EU nations have previously warned they are unlikely to support major changes to EU treaties to accommodate British demands. But Mr Cameron's general election victory may have given him extra leverage.The leaders of other EU nations have previously warned they are unlikely to support major changes to EU treaties to accommodate British demands. But Mr Cameron's general election victory may have given him extra leverage.
"The ball is very much in the court of the UK now," a senior EU official told The Guardian. "It's up to the British to define what they want."
The key figure will be German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is very keen to keep Britain in the EU but has so far been unwilling to make major concessions to enable that to happen. There are fears that a "pick and mix" approach to EU treaties would undermine EU cohesion.The key figure will be German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is very keen to keep Britain in the EU but has so far been unwilling to make major concessions to enable that to happen. There are fears that a "pick and mix" approach to EU treaties would undermine EU cohesion.
What are the sticking points?What are the sticking points?
Mr Cameron has said there is "no doubt" his planned reforms will require changes to the treaties governing the European Union. But this would require the unanimous support of all EU members, and may not be possible within the deadline he has set of a referendum before the end of 2017.Mr Cameron has said there is "no doubt" his planned reforms will require changes to the treaties governing the European Union. But this would require the unanimous support of all EU members, and may not be possible within the deadline he has set of a referendum before the end of 2017.
Any attempt to change EU laws on free movement would meet fierce resistance from some EU nations, particularly Eastern European states. Mr Juncker has said free movement is non-negotiable.Any attempt to change EU laws on free movement would meet fierce resistance from some EU nations, particularly Eastern European states. Mr Juncker has said free movement is non-negotiable.
Mr Cameron may find it difficult to get unanimous support for his proposals for a four-year waiting period for migrant workers claiming UK benefits. East European EU members would be likely to oppose this, on the grounds that it would discriminate against their citizens.Mr Cameron may find it difficult to get unanimous support for his proposals for a four-year waiting period for migrant workers claiming UK benefits. East European EU members would be likely to oppose this, on the grounds that it would discriminate against their citizens.
Attempts to secure opt-outs for the City are unlikely to go down well with other European leaders.Attempts to secure opt-outs for the City are unlikely to go down well with other European leaders.
However, there are precedents for EU treaty changes to accommodate some countries' specific concerns - for example, the protocol attached to the Lisbon Treaty for Ireland.However, there are precedents for EU treaty changes to accommodate some countries' specific concerns - for example, the protocol attached to the Lisbon Treaty for Ireland.
What if Mr Cameron fails to get the changes he wants?What if Mr Cameron fails to get the changes he wants?
Mr Cameron has faced repeated calls to say whether he would campaign for Britain's exit from the EU in the referendum if he fails to get what he wants from the renegotiation process. All he has said is that he will "rule nothing out". Mr Cameron has faced repeated calls to say whether he would campaign for Britain's exit from the EU in the referendum if he fails to get what he wants from the renegotiation process. All he has said is that he will "rule nothing out" and he has no "emotional attachment" to the EU.
What do other Conservative MPs want?What do other Conservative MPs want?
Some Conservative MPs want Britain to leave the EU no matter what David Cameron manages to renegotiate. A larger group are likely to want more concessions than Mr Cameron has so far indicated he is prepared to demand.Some Conservative MPs want Britain to leave the EU no matter what David Cameron manages to renegotiate. A larger group are likely to want more concessions than Mr Cameron has so far indicated he is prepared to demand.
Senior backbencher David Davis, who was defeated by Mr Cameron for the Tory leadership in 2005, told the Daily Telegraph the majority of the 332 Conservative MPs want Mr Cameron to negotiate an "opt-out" power to stop individual EU laws from applying to Britain. The prime minister has said this would be "impossible" without Britain leaving the EU.Senior backbencher David Davis, who was defeated by Mr Cameron for the Tory leadership in 2005, told the Daily Telegraph the majority of the 332 Conservative MPs want Mr Cameron to negotiate an "opt-out" power to stop individual EU laws from applying to Britain. The prime minister has said this would be "impossible" without Britain leaving the EU.
Mr Davis claims as many as 60 Tory MPs would be prepared to rebel and vote for Britain's exit from the EU if the prime minister fails to deliver.Mr Davis claims as many as 60 Tory MPs would be prepared to rebel and vote for Britain's exit from the EU if the prime minister fails to deliver.
Will there be a free vote for cabinet ministers?Will there be a free vote for cabinet ministers?
Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 committee, which represents backbenchers, has urged David Cameron to give all Conservative MPs, including ministers, a free vote in the EU referendum.Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 committee, which represents backbenchers, has urged David Cameron to give all Conservative MPs, including ministers, a free vote in the EU referendum.
In January, Mr Cameron warned that serving cabinet ministers would have to quit the government if they wanted to campaign to leave the EU if he had secured the reforms to it he wants.In January, Mr Cameron warned that serving cabinet ministers would have to quit the government if they wanted to campaign to leave the EU if he had secured the reforms to it he wants.
In the 1975 referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Economic Community, as the EU was then called, Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson decided to suspend collective responsibility because his cabinet was split on the issue.In the 1975 referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Economic Community, as the EU was then called, Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson decided to suspend collective responsibility because his cabinet was split on the issue.
Ministers were allowed to vote with their consciences and campaign against each other. The majority of them, including Mr Wilson, joined the Yes camp, but left-wingers, such as Tony Benn, played a leading role in the No campaign. The Yes campaign won easily with 67% of the vote.Ministers were allowed to vote with their consciences and campaign against each other. The majority of them, including Mr Wilson, joined the Yes camp, but left-wingers, such as Tony Benn, played a leading role in the No campaign. The Yes campaign won easily with 67% of the vote.