FT: EU exit is 'imaginable', says Cameron

17 December 2012

David Cameron has said it is "imaginable" that the UK could leave the European Union, in a landmark acknowledgement that an exit is possible even though he would be against the move.

When asked whether he could foresee a British withdrawal from the 27-member bloc, Mr Cameron said: “All futures for Britain are imaginable”, but then restated his argument that a British departure is “not my preference”.

Mr Cameron is expected to set out his position on the UK’s relations with Europe in a major speech on the issue – which would define his vision of Britain’s role outside an integrated eurozone while still closely tied to the single market, trade policy and foreign policy.

While Mr Cameron has joked about the “tantric” nature of his policy-making on Europe, as the timing of his address is continually extended, the postponement signals ongoing disagreements within Downing Street about what he should say.

“It’s clear David Cameron is heading towards an in-out referendum”, one party official told the Financial Times. “He’s being driven by his own backbenchers – that’s going to cause massive economic uncertainty and deter inward investment”, the official added.

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© Financial Times