British PM seeks support in EU referendum

LONDON (AVRUPA TIMES)-British Prime Minister David Cameron has defended his EU deal and once again urged people to support staying in the bloc during a session at the House of Commons in London.

In his speech Monday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn expressed support for Cameron's campaign for a vote for Britain to remain in the EU.

Cameron underlined that this was a final decision and ruled out any arguments for a second referendum or negotiations.

"This is a straight democratic decision -- staying in, or leaving, and no government can ignore that. Having a second negotiation followed by a second referendum is not on the ballot paper," he said.

He claimed that Russia would be the only country who would want to see U.K. out of the EU.

"The challenges facing the West today are genuinely threatening. Putin’s aggression in the East, Islamist extremism to the South in my view this is no time to divide the West," he said.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who announced on Sunday that he would be backing for Britain’s EU exit, was also among the parliamentarians in the session. Johnson's controversial decision was seen as political ambition by some.

"I won't dwell on the irony that some people who want to vote to leave apparently want to use a leave vote to remain, but such an approach also ignores more profound points about democracy, diplomacy, and legality," Cameron said referring to Johnson's decision. "I’m not standing for re-election. I have no other agenda than what is best for our country," he added.

On the other hand, Johnson asked Cameron to explain "in what way does this deal return sovereignty?"

Six of Cameron's own Cabinet members back Brexit and more than 100 Tory parliamentarians also support leaving the EU.

During the session, former Labour leader Ed Miliband and former deputy premier and Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg also supported Cameron in his campaign for Britain to stay in.

Britain’s referendum on its EU membership will be held on June 23.