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“Party divisions make Brexit a thorny issue for the PM”
Prime minister David Cameron has been locked in Number 10 with European Council president Donald Tusk trying to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU – and to avoid the possibility of Brexit.
Divisions within the Conservative party make this a thorny issue for the PM. Five of his cabinet are expected to vote for the UK to leave the EU, while disgruntled backbenchers – including former ECCC member Peter Lilley – are becoming more vocal for Britain to go it alone.
Energy secretary Amber Rudd finds herself in rare agreement with her Labour counterpart, shadow energy secretary Lisa Nandy, on this front. They are both for remaining in the EU. The only caveat is Rudd states she’s in favour of remaining part of a reformed union.
The key comes down to being part of a bigger group and having our voice “heard more loudly”, as Nandy puts it. For Rudd, being part of the EU keeps Britain “in the room” and able to shape energy policy and climate change action.
With the deal Cameron and Tusk have thrashed out set to be put to the other 27 EU member states to decide upon, the looming referendum on Britain’s place within the union is getting closer. It is rumoured the prime minister is keen for the vote to take place on 23 June.
If the details in the final deal satisfy the Eurosceptics in his party and the wider electorate, the referendum may swing in his favour. If not, energy and water policy will need a complete rethink – as will the UK’s place in Europe.
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