Britain kicks off plan for EU vote

British prime minister David Cameron kicked off his plan for a changed relationship with the EU, admitting he will not get treaty change before he has to put his in/out referendum to the people.

He wants to avoid a situation whereby Ireland and other countries would have to hold a referendum in case any of them rejected whatever deal Britain manages to conclude with the EU over the coming months.

Instead, Mr Cameron said, they will try to agree protocols as Ireland did, and that could be added to the treaty when next it is changed.