Britain will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday 23,2016 June, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
The prime minister made his historic announcement in Downing Street after briefing the cabinet.
He said he would be campaigning to remain in a reformed EU - and described the vote as one of the biggest decisions "in our lifetimes".
A string of ministers have come out in favour of remaining - but others will campaign against David Cameron.
Within minutes of David Cameron's announcement six of his most senior ministers were at at Vote Leave campaign rally signing onto the campaign against the EU. From left: Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Commons Leader Chris Grayling, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith and Employment Minister Priti Patel
Note
Britain is already the EU's most semi-detached member, having opted out of joining the euro single currency, the Schengen zone of passport-free travel and many areas of police and judicial cooperation
Britain is the EU's second-largest economy and one of its two permanent members on the UN Security Council.
What is a referendum?
A referendum is basically a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age can take part, normally giving a "Yes" or "No" answer to a question. Whichever side gets more than half of all votes cast is considered to have won.Who will be able to vote?
British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals who have lived overseas for less than 15 years. Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible, unlike in a general election. Citizens from EU countries - apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus - will not get a vote.What is the European Union?
UK Embraces Europe in 1975 Referendum
Britain under Prime Minister Edward Heath had joined the EEC in January 1973 when the Treaty of Rome was signed.
Labour's general election manifesto of October 1974 committed Labour to allow people the opportunity to decide whether Britain should stay in the Common Market on renegotiated terms, or leave it entirely.
In the run-up to the referendum the prime minister announced that the government had decided to recommend a "yes" vote. But it emerged that the cabinet had split, with seven of its 23 members seeking withdrawal.
The "no" faction included Michael Foot, Secretary of State of Employment and Tony Benn, Industry Secretary.
British voters have backed the UK's continued membership of the European Economic Community by a large majority in the country's first nationwide referendum.
Just over 67% of voters supported the Labour government's campaign to stay in the EEC, or Common Market, despite several cabinet ministers having come out in favour of British withdrawal.
The result was later hailed by Prime Minister Harold Wilson as a "historic decision".
British Prime Minister DavidCameron secures deal and starts campaign to keep Britain in European Union(EU)
British Prime Minister David Cameron (C) takes part in a meeting with other European Union leaders take part in a meeting during a EU summit addressing the talks about the so-called Brexit and the migrants crisis, in Brussels, Belgium, February 19, 2016.
What are the main changes David Cameron has agreed?
British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed a package of changes to the UK's membership of the EU after two days of intensive talks with other member states' leaders in Brussels on Friday February 19, 2016.
David Cameron says a deal struck
with EU leaders will give the UK "special status" and he will campaign
with his "heart and soul" to stay in the union.
The agreement reached on Friday Feb 19,2016 after two days of talks in Brussels, gives the UK power to limit some EU migrants' benefits.It also includes a treaty change so the UK is not bound to "ever closer union" with other EU member states
The agreement, which will take effect immediately if the UK votes to remain in the EU, includes changes to:
- Child benefit - Child benefit payments to migrant workers for children living overseas to be recalculated to reflect the cost of living in their home countries
- Migrant welfare payments - The UK can decide to limit in-work benefits for EU migrants during their first four years in the UK. This so-called "emergency brake" can be applied in the event of "exceptional" levels of migration, but must be released within seven years - without exception.
- Eurozone - Britain can keep the pound while being in Europe, and its business trade with the bloc, without fear of discrimination. Any British money spent on bailing out eurozone nations will be reimbursed.
- Protection for the City of London - Safeguards for Britain's large financial services industry to prevent eurozone regulations being imposed on it
- Sovereignty - There is an explicit commitment that the UK will not be part of an "ever closer union" with other EU member states. This will be incorporated in an EU treaty change.
- 'Red card' for national parliaments - It will be easier for governments to band together to block unwanted legislation. If 55% of national EU parliaments object to a piece of EU legislation it may be rethought.
- Competitiveness - The settlement calls on all EU institutions and member states to "make all efforts to fully implement and strengthen the internal market" and to take "concrete steps towards better regulation", including by cutting red tape.
- Some limits on free movement - Denying automatic free movement rights to nationals of a country outside the EU who marry an EU national, as part of measures to tackle "sham" marriages. There are also new powers to exclude people believed to be a security risk - even if they have no previous convictions
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