Britain’s foreign secretary Philip Hammond has echoed Bank of England Governor Mark Carney’s calls for a ‘fast’ referendum on Britain’s place in the EU.
The British foreign secretary (pictured) wants negotation of the terms of Britain’s membership in the EU to be settled “as fast as possible”, potentially allowing for an earlier referendum.
His comments follow those made by Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, who called for the government to move towards a referendum “with appropriate speed”, warning uncertainty is causing problems for business.
Members of the financial services industry have already named a ‘Brexit’ and ‘Scoxit’ as the key concerns for the industry following the unexpected result of the general election last week.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Hammond said: “That is how I want this process to end up: a good package of reforms; a ‘yes’ vote; and a step change in the way the relationship works, with Britain being really engaged and a loud voice in the union.”
His comments open up the possibility of a referendum as early as next year instead of 2017, as originally suggested.
Hammond said: “If [our partners] enthusiastically embrace the [reform] agenda . . . we would move as fast as possible.
“We want to finish this as soon as we can. But it is most important to get it right. There may be an appetite in some of the powerful member states to move fast.”
The Prime Minister is expected to use the EU summit in June to present his demands for an EU renegotiation.
