By Andrew Osborn Reuters From Sydney Morning Herald

London: Queen Elizabeth has set in motion the new government’s plans for an in-out referendum on staying in the European Union, but left open questions about when it will be and what changes to the EU the government wants beforehand.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who says he would prefer to stay inside a reformed EU but isn’t “ruling anything out” if it fails to change, was re-elected on May 7 on a pledge to reshape ties with the union before allowing Britons to vote on whether to stay or leave.

The queen outlined the plans in a speech written for her by Mr Cameron’s Conservative government as she opened parliament with a traditional display of pomp.

“My government will renegotiate the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union and pursue reform of the European Union for the benefit of all member states,” she told an audience of politicians and lords clad in crimson robes trimmed with white ermine.

A law enabling a referendum to occur by the end of 2017 will be introduced into parliament on Thursday, the day Mr Cameron begins a European tour to try to charm sometimes reluctant counterparts into endorsing EU reform.

The wording of the referendum question will be disclosed at the same time. Voters will be asked if they want to stay inside the EU.

That would allow the pro-EU camp to be the “Yes” campaign, helping it avoid accusations of negative campaigning, a detail likely to irk EU opponents.

Mr Cameron told parliament he looked forward to the referendum law passing through parliament “in extra quick time”.

Charm offensive in European capitals

His tour will include talks with French President Francois Hollande in Paris and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

Cameron has said he would be ready to hold the referendum before 2017 if he completes the renegotiation early, something some pro-EU campaigners advocate. But he is under pressure from some of his own Eurosceptic legislators who want him to ask for more and to take his time reaching any settlement.

Some EU politicians have complained they do not know enough, beyond what they say are broad and nebulous goals, about what Mr Cameron wants to change. He says he wants to decouple Britain from the EU’s official aim of “ever closer union” and to be able to restrict EU migrants’ access to Britain’s welfare system.

Mr Cameron is adamant that such changes would require re-opening the EU’s founding treaties, something countries such as France are opposed to.

In a potential setback for the prime minister, a Franco-German paper seen by Reuters shows the two countries have agreed on plans to strengthen cooperation among the 19 countries using the euro currency, without changing existing treaties.

The blueprint would bolster the euro zone, of which Britain is not a member, by holding more regular summits of its leaders and strengthening the Eurogroup forum of finance ministers.

Other laws Queen Elizabeth outlined on Wednesday included a crackdown on illegal immigration, more devolved powers for Scotland and a bill preventing any rise in key taxes before 2020.

A law to reform human rights legislation, designed to weaken the influence of the European Court of Human Rights, was not part of the package, however.

Cameron had not promised to immediately press ahead with the move, but his decision to tackle it later stoked speculation he wanted to avoid an early showdown over a plan that has divided his party.

IMAGE: Queen Elizabeth II speaks during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on Wednesday. Photo: Arthur Edwards
Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and acting leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman, process though the central lobby during the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday. Photo: Dan Kitwood
People protested outside the Houses of Parliament during an anti-austerity demonstration in London on Wednesday, following the State Opening of Parliament.
Queen Elizabeth’s Imperial State Crown arrives at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on Wednesday. Photo: Suzanne Plunkett
Protesters march during an anti-austerity demonstration in London after the opening of parliament. Photo: Ben Stansall

Reuters

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