How did David Cameron get into such a mess on Europe so quickly? For those whose heads are still spinning (and this probably includes the Prime Minister) over what on earth just happened to upset the Tory party so much and force Downing Street into a frenzied climbdown, here’s the anatomy of David Cameron’s European U-turn.
4 January 2015
David Cameron says there will not be a free vote on the referendum during an interview with Andrew Marr. Here is the transcript of the Prime Minister’s answers:
ANDREW MARR: Would you give cabinet ministers and other Conservatives who want to campaign for an out,
the freedom to do so in such a referendum?
DAVID CAMERON: Well, there are Conservative Members of Parliament who want the leave the European Union…
ANDREW MARR: Yes, there are.
DAVID CAMERON: … come what may, but if you’re part of the government, then clearly you’re part of the team that is aiming for the renegotiation…
ANDREW MARR: (over) So you’re not going to do a free vote…
DAVID CAMERON: … referendum…
ANDREW MARR: (over)… as Labour did in, in the 70s.
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