Full text: David Cameron’s Chatham House speech on Europe

Almost three years ago, I made a speech about Europe. I argued that the European Union needed to reform if it was to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. I argued that Britain’s best future lay within a reformed European Union, if the necessary changes could be agreed. And I promised the British people that, if I was re-elected as Prime Minister, we would have an in-out referendum…and the final say on whether our national and economic security is better protected by remaining in the European Union, or by leaving.

That promise is now being honoured. The law of the land will require that there must be a referendum on our EU membership by the end of 2017. The re-negotiation is now entering its formal phase, following several rounds of technical discussions.

Today I am writing to the President of the European Council setting out how I want to address the concerns of the British people…and why I believe that the changes that Britain is seeking will benefit not just Britain, but the EU as a whole. That