Britain seeks early EU vote

Prime Minister David Cameron will hold an early referendum on membership of the EU if he can first reach a deal that satisfies his demands for major changes in Britain’s relationship with Europe.

Mr Cameron, who won a majority in Thursday’s general election, has pledged to renegotiate Britain’s ties with Europe and then give voters an in/out referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017.

“If we can do it earlier we will,” his spokesman said, adding that Mr Cameron would seek changes to the EU’s basic treaties as part of the renegotiation.