Britain to detail shopping list for changes in EU membership

DESPITE initially declining to present a detailed list of the demands that he would make with regards to Britain’s renegotiation of its membership of the European Union, David Cameron confirmed that he had changed his mind on October 15 during a visit to the European Council in Brussels for discussions about the refugee problems.

After much pressure from other EU leaders, he has agreed to write to Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council detailing the changes he hopes to obtain from the EU, before calling a referendum by the end of 2017 on whether the UK should remain in the Union.

This letter is required to be sent during November so that all of the governments of the EU are able to understand his expectations prior to the next EU summit in December. Whilst the referendum has to be held by the end of 2017, it may be that if an agreement between Britain and its partners in the EU can be reached quickly, then the timetable for the referendum could be moved forward considerably.

A lot will depend however upon the concessions obtained and the view of how the success of the negotiations are viewed by the electorate as Mr Cameron has made it clear that he is looking for a resounding Yes vote and if opinion polls indicate that it doesn’t appear likely, he may well decide to wait hoping for a change of heart.