David Cameron rebuffs first ministers' call to rule out EU referendum in June

David Cameron has rejected a call from the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to rule out a June referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones and Arlene Foster wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to hold off on a referendum “at least until later in the year”, given devolved elections are taking place in May.

Asked about the letter at PMQs, Cameron said he could “guarantee” a referendum would not take place within six weeks of the 5 May Holyrood election. However, in a clear hint that an early referendum is the preferred option, the PM told the House of Commons that voters were “perfectly capable” of casting votes in two separate polls in quick succession.

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European Council president Donald Tusk this week published a draft deal to reform the UK’s relationship with Brussels, with Cameron looking to achieve an agreement from the other 27 EU member states at a summit later this month.

The letter from Sturgeon and her Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts comes amid reports No.10 favours holding an in/out referendum on Britain’s EU membership on 23 June, seven weeks after voters go to the polls in the Holyrood election.

“We think it essential that those casting their votes are fully informed of the arguments on EU membership,” states the letter, which has also been signed by Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.

“As you know, the elections take place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on 5 May. We believe that holding a referendum as early as June will mean that a significant part of the referendum campaign will necessarily run in parallel with those elections and risks confusing issues at a moment when clarity is required.

“Furthermore, it will be virtually impossible for the political parties in our respective territories to plan effectively for, and where appropriate work together on, the referendum campaign while our own elections are in progress.

“We believe that the European referendum is of vital importance to the future of the whole United Kingdom and the debate leading up to it should, therefore, be free of other campaigning distraction. We believe it would be better for you to commit to deferring the EU referendum at least until later in the year.”

Cameron told the Commons that “no date has yet been fixed” given agreement from all EU member states on a proposed deal is still to be achieved. “We discussed this a lot in this House of Commons and we legislated to make sure we wouldn’t hold the referendum at the same time as Scottish or Welsh elections,” the PM added.

“The former first minister of Scotland [Alex Salmond]... said it would be wrong to hold a referendum within six weeks of those elections and I can guarantee that won’t happen.”

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson called on the PM to “respect the electorates and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” and give a commitment not to press ahead with a June vote.

Cameron said: “First of all I do respect the former first minister of Scotland who said that six weeks was what was necessary.

“I also respect the electorates of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the basis that I think people are perfectly capable of making up their minds in a local election or in a Scottish parliamentary election or in a Welsh assembly election and then a period of some weeks afterwards making up their mind all over again on the vital question of the European Union.

“No date has been fixed, there must be a six-week gap. But I think frankly he is looking for things to complain about. This House has voted for a referendum, it would be pretty odd if having voted for a referendum we then spent ages debating about not having one.”

SNP MP and former first minister Alex Salmond said: “David Cameron has dissembled on his claim. I told the Prime Minister last night that while six weeks clearance is a necessary condition for the EU referendum, it is not a sufficient one - he knew that, and chose not to say it. It’s not surprising the Prime Minster has lost all credibility on the EU.”