10 May 2015

David Cameron interview: EU renegotiation is underway

In his first interview since being re-elected as Prime Minister, David Cameron tells Channel 4 News that he already contacted European leaders to get the EU renegotiation process underway.

In his first interview since last Thursday’s majority Conservative victory, Mr Cameron said he was confident he could secure the “right result” on Europe.

Mr Cameron said: “The first thing is to get the renegotiation going. We will be doing that soon. I’ve already made calls to European leaders. Then the referendum. I’m confident we’re going to get the right result.”

Asked by Channel 4 News’ Matt Frei if he was the “last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom”, Mr Cameron said he intended to bring the UK together but insisted there would be no further referendum on Scottish independence.

“We had a referendum. Respect and trust should be at the heart of our system and that’s what we did and Scotland voted emphatically to stay in the United Kingdom which I think was an affirmation of what a great country this is,” Mr Cameron said.

“There isn’t going to be another referendum. We had the referendum and the SNP aren’t pushing for another referendum actually, Nicola Sturgeon said that vote in the general election was not about another referendum.”

“Now what we need to do is bring the United Kingdom together. We are going to do that by delivering the devolution settlement in Wales, delivering the devolution settlement in Scotland, keeping all the pledges that were made.”

Speaking after taking part in commemorations of the 70th anniversary of VE Day, Mr Cameron said: “That’s one of the things this Government should be about: the idea of renewing and refreshing the United Kingdom.

“And today is a good day to remember just what the United Kingdom stands for and what it has done. The United Kingdom stood alone against Hitler. That’s what these people did.”

‘Continuity’

The Prime Minister has spent much of the weekend finalising his first all-Conservative cabinet. With the party sticking to a theme of “continuity” Mr Cameron has already reappointed Chancellor George Osborne, also made first secretary of state.

Michael Gove returns to front line politics as Justice Secretary while Theresa May, Philip Hammond and Michael Fallon retain their jobs at the Home Office, Foreign Office and Defence.

Other announcements are due on Monday.