Hughes: 'Now Is Not The Time For EU Referendum'

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats has told Sky News now is not the time for a referendum on Britain's future in the European Union.

Simon Hughes said holding a vote on whether Britain should remain in the European Union would be a "complete distraction" from the issues facing the country.

"Now is absolutely not the time to have a referendum," he told the Murnaghan show.

He acknowledged the "mood had changed" in Britain since the last vote on the issue in 1975, but that there was good reason not to hold another now.

His comments come as Prime Minister David Cameron faces increasing pressure from his own party to hold a referendum.

He now faces a backbench rebellion on a Commons vote scheduled for Monday, with more than 70 MPs preparing to vote in favour of the issue.

Mr Hughes said: "There are two reasons not to hold a referendum now - apart from the agreement between the two coalition partners - the first is that David Cameron is trying to help the eurozone countries sort out the most difficult economic crisis that European finance has had.

"Secondly, all our constituents are focused on other issues. They want the economy to get back on track and they want jobs to be created.

"It would become a complete distraction from what is the main issue.

"International terrorism, Libya, the energy crisis around the world, a European Union which, at the moment, we do half our business with - for some Tories and some Labour people to put their head in their hands and back away from the idea that the most important issue in Britain now should be the economy and jobs and getting us back is completely wrong."

But George Eustice, Conservative MP, disagreed: "The reason the government's got a bit of a problem here with its backbenches is there is just an impression that they want to put this in the deep freeze.

"At a time when we have got a recession looming again, we have got to think outside the box and be quite radical.

"Part of that has got to be about shaking up employment laws, social laws and freeing up our economy.

"If now is not the time to try and address the shortcomings of the EU when is the time?"

The Prime Minister hinted on Sunday that the eurozone crisis could be an opportunity for Britain to start reclaiming powers from Brussels.

He promised to "exact a price" if the countries with the euro seek closer integration and a change to existing treaties to deal with the ongoing problems.

He said: "Any treaty change - as the last treaty change did - is an opportunity for Britain to advance our national interest."

But Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was "far too early early to speculate on the Government's negotiating position".