- 18 updates
Miliband: EU referendum 'unlikely' if Labour wins election
Labour leader Ed Miliband has effectively ruled out a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, pledging that he would only hold one in the “unlikely” event that Westminster had to transfer more powers to Brussels.
Live updates
- ITV Report
Miliband says EU referendum is 'unlikely' under Labour
Victor Blank: EU uncertainty 'disastrous' for business
Businessman Sir Victor Blank has welcomed Ed Miliband's "sensible" pledge to offer voters an EU referendum if there is a proposed transfer of powers from Westminster to Brussels.
The former Lloyds TSB chairman expressed strong support for British membership of the EU, saying the prospect of an exit was "horrific".
Advertisement
Labour donor: Miliband move 'a step in right direction'
One of Labour's biggest donors, John Mills, has said Ed Miliband's pledge to hold an EU referendum if there is a transfer of powers from Westminster to Brussels is "a step in the right direction".
However, Mr Mills has been clear that he would like Labour to promise an in/out referendum.
He said this morning: "I think we should recognise that the growth of the EU's influence over Britain in the past 40 years warrants a referendum regardless of future events."
Cameron: Only Tories will call an in/out referendum
David Cameron has hit out at Ed Miliband over his EU referendum pledge.
Speaking on a visit to Israel, the Prime Minister said only the Conservatives would offer the British people an in/out vote.
Miliband applauds Chris Ship's summary of EU policy
Ed Miliband drew laughs as he thanked ITV News' Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship's summary of Labour's "unclear" stance on an EU referendum after giving a speech on the issue at London Business School.
"I thought that was quite a good explanation", the Labour leader said, laughing.
Ed Miliband: We gain more from being part of EU
ITV Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship has been tweeting from Ed Miliband's speech this morning on the European Union.
Advertisement
Cameron: EU pledge 'makes no sense whatsoever'
David Cameron has attacked Ed Miliband's EU referendum pledge, saying it makes "no sense whatsoever".
The Prime Minister told reporters on a flight to Israel: "It is not a proposal for an in/out referendum. It is a policy clearly designed by a committee who obviously couldn't agree what to do and have come up with a policy that makes no sense whatsoever."
He added: "It is absolutely clear - if you get Miliband, you don't get a referendum, you don't get a choice.
"It is the classic Labour 'we know best' approach to politics."
Douglas Alexander: EU referendum 'frankly unlikely'
An in/out referendum on EU membership under a Labour government is "frankly unlikely", the shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has said.
He said a vote was still "possible" if there was a transfer of powers from Westminster to Brussels.
Miliband: UK should stay in the EU but it must change
ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship is at Ed Miliband's speech setting out Labour's position on an EU referendum:
You'll get a referendum on the EU - although you won't
Latest ITV News reports
-
Miliband says EU referendum is 'unlikely' under Labour
Ed Miliband effectively ruled out a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU today, as he set out his party's stance on the issue.
-
You'll get a referendum on the EU - although you won't
Confused by Labour' pledge to have a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU? You are not alone.