British government set to argue against itself on Brexit vote

United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron reported back to the House of Commons on the 5 January 2016 on the outcome of the European Council, Brussels, 17-18 December 2015.

Amongst his comments he highlighted that he hoped it might be possible to secure agreement on a new deal for the UK within the EU at the European Council to be held in February 2016.

If he succeeded, and a referendum was held in the UK on the agreement Mr Cameron announced that government ministers would be free to campaign for the UK to remain or leave the EU, even though the government would present a formal recommendation.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Meeting: European Council, 17-18 December 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-european-council-17-18-december-2015/

ESO: Background information: European Council Conclusions on the United Kingdom (17 December 2015) http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-council-conclusions-on-the-united-kingdom-17-december-2015/

UK: Prime Minister's Office: News, 05.01.16: Oral statement to Parliament. European Council meeting: Prime Minister's statement https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/european-council-meeting-prime-ministers-statement

ESO: Background information: Eurosceptic MPs put Cameron under pressure http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurosceptic-mps-put-cameron-under-pressure/

BBC News, 05.01.16: EU Referendum: Ministers will be able to campaign for either side http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35230959

The Guardian, 05.01.16: [Opinion]: Cameron has freed his ministers on the EU vote. Now his problems begin http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/05/david-cameron-ministers-eu-european-union-vote-referendum-tories

Blog: Open Europe, 05.01.16: Cameron set to give ministers free rein in EU referendum campaign http://openeurope.org.uk/blog/cameron-set-to-give-ministers-free-rein-in-eu-referendum-campaign/

Politico, 05.01.16: Cameron gives ministers free vote in EU referendum http://www.politico.eu/article/cameron-will-give-ministers-free-vote-in-eu-referendum/

Deutsche Welle, 05.01.16: UK ministers may campaign to leave EU, says Cameron http://dw.com/p/1HYVi

EUObserver, 06.01.16: British ministers can campaign for EU exit https://euobserver.com/political/131715

The Conversation, 06.01.16: Free vote on EU referendum could see Cameron keep the peace within his party http://theconversation.com/free-vote-on-eu-referendum-could-see-cameron-keep-the-peace-within-his-party-52828

Blog: UK in a Changing EU, 06.01.16: Of course Cameron was going to allow his Cabinet to freely campaign in the EU referendum http://ukandeu.ac.uk/of-course-cameron-was-going-to-allow-his-cabinet-to-freely-campaign-in-the-eu-referendum/

UK: Prime Minister's Office: Policy Paper, 11.01.16: EU referendum: Prime Minister's minute to ministers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-referendum-prime-ministers-minute-to-ministers

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