Now is not the time to vote for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union,
David Cameron has told rebel Conservative MPs.
As many as 100 Tories are expected to defy a three-line whip and back a Commons motion for a referendum.
The proposed ballot would also give voters the option of staying in the EU or renegotiating its terms of membership.
Speaking at the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Mr Cameron said: ‘I don’t think this is the right time to legislate for an in-out referendum.
‘I think this is the right time to sort out Europe’s problems, sort out the eurozone problem, defend your national interest and look to the opportunities in the future to repatriate powers back to Britain.
‘I’ve argued that this crisis means that greater fiscal and economic integration of the eurozone is inevitable. But this must not be at the expense of Britain’s national interest.’
Arch Eurosceptic backbencher John Redwood said a three-line whip was unnecessary.
