David Cameron to ministers: back EU deal or face sack

Mr Cameron said that the government would not be “neutral” on the issue of whether the UK quits Europe, and insisted that everyone in his administration is signed up to his strategy of securing sufficient reform through renegotiation to allow them to recommend a yes vote.

EU referendum

Speaking at the G7 summit in Germany, Mr Cameron said he was taking a “very open-minded view” on the timing of the referendum, making clear he has not ruled out staging it on 5 May 2016, despite Electoral Commission advice that he should avoid a clash with elections for the Scottish parliament, Welsh assembly, London mayor and English councils on that date. So far, he has promised only that it will be held before the end of 2017.

He said: “If you want to be part of the government you have to take the view that we are engaged in an exercise of renegotiation to have a referendum and that will lead to a successful outcome.

“Everyone in government has signed up to the programme set out in the Conservative manifesto.”

Conservatives for Britain

Mr Cameron is walking a political tightrope as he seeks to win over support in Europe for his bid to reform the UK’s links to Brussels while keeping his party united on the deeply divisive issue.

Eurosceptic Conservatives have made clear they are ready to campaign for exit if the prime minister fails to come up with a package they believe delivers real change.

At least 50 Tory MPs, including former cabinet ministers Owen Paterson and John Redwood, have signed up to the newly-formed Conservatives for Britain (CfB) to keep the pressure on ahead on the popular vote.