“The next Conservative Manifesto in 2015 will ask for a mandate from the British people for a Conservative Government to negotiate a new settlement with our European partners in the next Parliament. And when we have negotiated that new settlement, we will give the British people a referendum with a very simple in or out choice to stay in the EU on these new terms; or come out altogether. It will be an in-out referendum.

Legislation will be drafted before the next election. And if a Conservative Government is elected we will introduce the enabling legislation immediately and pass it by the end of that year. And we will complete this negotiation and hold this referendum within the first half of the next parliament.

It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics.

With courage and conviction I believe we can deliver a more flexible, adaptable and open European Union in which the interests and ambitions of all its members can be met. With courage and conviction I believe we can achieve a new settlement in which Britain can be comfortable and all our countries can thrive.

I believe something very deeply. That Britain’s national interest is best served in a flexible, adaptable and open European Union. And that such a European Union is best with Britain in it.

Over the coming weeks, months and years, I will not rest until this debate is won. For the future of my country. For the success of the European Union. And for the prosperity of our peoples for generations to come.”

The time has come, in five years time.

Guido was at lunch when the news emerged that Dave is heading to Bloomberg tomorrow morning at 8am for that speech.

It’s where Nick Clegg launched his 2010 manifesto and Ed Balls conceded defeat in the Labour leadership race and set out his unsuccessful job application to be a Miliband’s first choice Shadow Chancellor.

More glamorous than Brugge…

What a surprise that the EU has intervened  into the Leveson debate and wants to implement draconian press controls across the great project. New potential European Commission recommendations will apparently offer “respect, protection, support and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe”, yet it doesn’t take very long before things get rather sinister:

“All EU countries should have independent media councils… Media councils should have real enforcement powers, such as the imposition of fines, orders for printed or broadcast apologies, or removal of journalistic status.”

First they came for the journalists…

UPDATE: Toby Young has found an even worse line:

“The national media councils should follow a set of European-wide standards and be monitored by the Commission to ensure that they comply with European values.”

So, Acts of God permitting, Cameron’s speech will be held on Wednesday morning before PMQs and before the PM heads off to Davos.

Keen to give the speech abroad and having trailed most of it already, Guido imagines the rewriting is ongoing.

The speech will be held in a central London location rather than somewhere historical or memorable like Bruge. Details to follow.

He could have done it at Davos, except it would have gone down rather badly with that one world crowd…

Former Harriet Harman campaign staffer Jon Worth has gone into full-on bedwetting mode over this fun campaign video from a Flemish Christian Democrat.

The only thing Guido finds unappealing about the video is the claim that the EU is transparent…

Via: Tim Worstall

Guido has collated the different parts of the speech briefed to different journalists to give a precis of what Dave would have said in Amsterdam:

“I want to speak to you today with urgency and frankness about the European Union and how it must change – both to deliver prosperity and to retain the support of its peoples. I come here as British Prime Minister with a positive vision for the future of the European Union. A future in which Britain wants, and should want, to play a committed and active part.

Why raise fundamental questions about the future of Europe when Europe is already in the midst of a deep crisis? Why raise questions about Britain’s role when support in Britain is already so thin? There are always voices saying don’t ask the difficult questions. But it’s essential for Europe – and for Britain – that we do because there are three major challenges confronting us today.

First, the problems in the Eurozone are driving fundamental change in Europe. Second, there is a crisis of European competitiveness, as other nations across the world soar ahead. And third, there is a gap between the EU and its citizens which has grown dramatically in recent years and which represents a lack of democratic accountability and consent that is – yes – felt particularly acutely in Britain.

If we don’t address these challenges, the danger is that Europe will fail and the British people will drift towards the exit. I do not want that to happen. I want the European Union to be a success and I want a relationship between Britain and the EU that keeps us in it. That is why I am here today: To acknowledge the nature of the challenges we face. To set out how I believe the European Union should respond to them. And to explain what I want to achieve for Britain and its place within the European Union.

If we don’t address these challenges, the danger is that Europe will fail and the British people will drift towards the exit. There is a growing frustration that the EU is seen as something that is done to people rather than acting on their behalf. And this is being intensified by the very solutions required to resolve the economic problems. People are increasingly frustrated that decisions taken further and further away from them mean their living standards are slashed through enforced austerity or their taxes are used to bail out governments on the other side of the continent.

My point is this. More of the same will not secure a long-term future for the eurozone. More of the same will not see the European Union keeping pace with the new powerhouse economies. More of the same will not bring the European Union any closer to its citizens. More of the same will just produce more of the same – less competitiveness, less growth, fewer jobs. And that will make our countries weaker, not stronger.”

Channelling the voice of John Major…

If you were David Cameron now, would you fly to Amsterdam to deliver a political speech tomorrow? It won't look good if he goes…—
Christopher Hope (@christopherhope) January 17, 2013

British citizens are dying in Algeria. Is this a good time for David Cameron to be banging on about Europe?: As… bit.ly/UwSolC—
James Kirkup (@jameskirkup) January 17, 2013

Algeria hostage crisis and anger. Snow. Eurosceptics on warpath whatever PM says. Will Cameron opt out of his own Europe speech?—
Toby Helm (@tobyhelm) January 17, 2013

@Kevin_Maguire ITN report he'll do just that, via the polycomm—
Robin Brant (@robindbrant) January 17, 2013

@chrisshipitv Trust they'll let you film PM doing so. Smacks of wrong speech, wrong time, wrong place—
Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) January 17, 2013

Cam is absolutely spitting with the Algerians. The call to their PM this morning is described as 'pretty businesslike' – for which read curt—
Tim Shipman (Mail) (@ShippersUnbound) January 17, 2013

There is an element of the Lobby trying to kick No. 10 around here, but they might just be on to something…

Epic Fail.

Via Conservative Voice.

Vince Cable stood, and was elected in Twickenham, on a manifesto commitment to hold an In/Out referendum on Europe yet today he will say such a ballot will “weaken Britain’s ability to deliver more reform inside the EU”. He is planning on slamming the Tories for encouraging “uncertainty” with a vote. Another smashed LibDem promise. And they wonder why everybody hates them…

Ed M gives clearest statement yet on euro membership: "Britain's not going to be joining the euro, it won't be joining the euro if I'm PM"—
George Eaton (@georgeeaton) January 17, 2013

We knew that already…

That R4 interview suggests @Ed_Miliband is the David Beckham of British politics: when he talks, it spoils it.—
Fraser Nelson (@frasernelson) January 17, 2013

Ed M rather confusing on EU on @BBCr4today – "a more flexible EU" but not looser. What does that mean?—
Iain Martin (@iainmartin1) January 17, 2013

Ed hasn't got a position on a referendum. Might as well just say so.—
Dan Hodges (@DPJHodges) January 17, 2013

“@danielbyles: Nick Robinson on #r4today: "you asked EdM for clarity on a referendum, he couldn't give you that clarity"”—
Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) January 17, 2013

That was the sort of interview that makes people hate politicians #Miliband #Today—
Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) January 17, 2013

Disaster interview. Ed's been leader for 2.5 years and has no position on any major policy. We won't join the euro. Who knew?!—
Chris Wimpress (@ChrisWimpress) January 17, 2013

Miliband has very irritating habit of asking himself questions: And why do we say that? What's the bigger point? What's my starting point?—
Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) January 17, 2013

Interesting how @Ed_Miliband has adopted Govt's referendum lock as his refuge for all questions he gets on EU. Wasn't enough for Cameron.—
Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) January 17, 2013

So that went well then…