Scots back EU referendum plan says David Cameron

DAVID Cameron said the majority of Scots backed his referendum on Europe as he responded to claims that English euroscepticism was widening the political divide between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
David Cameron said polls showed that his plan to negotiate a better deal in Europe and then hold a referendum in 2017 was supported by most Scots. Picture: John DevlinDavid Cameron said polls showed that his plan to negotiate a better deal in Europe and then hold a referendum in 2017 was supported by most Scots. Picture: John Devlin
David Cameron said polls showed that his plan to negotiate a better deal in Europe and then hold a referendum in 2017 was supported by most Scots. Picture: John Devlin

The Prime Minister said polls showed that his plan to negotiate a better deal in Europe and then hold a referendum in 2017 was supported by most Scots including SNP supporters.

On a visit to Scotland, Mr Cameron reacted to SNP claims that Douglas Carswell’s defection from the Tories to Ukip was a sign that Westminster was dancing to Nigel Farage’s anti-Europe agenda.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking on a visit to MacTaggart Scott, a business specialising in Naval defence in Loanhead, Mr Cameron warned that a Yes vote would see Scotland leave the EU and have to join the back of the queue, if it wanted re-entry.

Mr Cameron then defended his approach, saying “My strategy on behalf of the whole of the United Kingdom to negotiate a better deal in Europe and then have a referendum on Britain’s membership of Europe by the end of 2017 – that is supported, according to opinion polls, by a majority of Scots and also by quite a big majority of Scottish National Party voters. I believe that the policy I have is the right one for the whole of the United Kingdom.”

The Prime Minister went on to say that you could link the EU referendum with the Scottish independence referendum.

“I think it is very important in politics that we confront and take the big decisions that we face. We have a big decision as a United Kingdom – are we going to stay together in an uncertain, unsafe, dangerous competitive world. I absolutely think the arguments are for staying together will make us safer more prosperous and more secure as a family of nations.

“Then we have to confront the big decision - what is our European future? If we are not happy with the way it works at the moment and I am not, let’s get reforms that safeguards Britain’s interests better as a country that is in the single market, but is not in the single currency and is unlikely ever to join. Safeguard those interests have a referendum and secure that future too.“

SEE ALSO:

David Cameron to scale back CBI dinner