MP Tom Watson calls for Europe referendum next May
Labour should campaign for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union to be held next May, the party's former deputy chairman has said.
Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, recently quit as Ed Miliband's campaign chief and returned to the backbenches.
But he wants the party to seize the initiative on Europe from the Conservative Party, who are offering a referendum in 2017 if David Cameron is given a majority at the next General Election.
The Prime Minister wants time to try to renegotiate Britain's position in the European Union to try to repatriate powers back from Brussels, in the hope voters will choose to stay in the reformed union. Mr Watson wants to see the referendum take place in May 2014, on the same day voters elect MEPs.
The move would appeal to people considering voting for the Tories or the UK Independence Party on the basis of their stances on Europe.
Mr Watson was speaking after he gave up his role leading Labour's campaign strategies in the row over alleged union fixing in the selection of a party candidate in Falkirk.
An investigation has been abandoned after evidence was withdrawn by two key witnesses. Meanwhile, former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling has put pressure on Mr Miliband to do more to get the party's message across to nvoters.
Mr Watson said: "One policy I think Ed Miliband should announce is to back a referendum on Europe to coincide with the elections next May.
"We're in opposition so we don't control the agenda, but most of my adult life we have had elections to the European Parliament and people don't talk about Europe.
"This way we could elect people to Europe and the country can have a say on whether we should be in or out. We can't set the agenda but we can shape the timing."
