“There is nothing inevitable about Britain’s departure from the EU. Yet history could well record that David Cameron has set the nation on this course”, [writes *Financial Times* columnist Philip Stephens](http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/a0253242-6545-11e2-a3db-00144feab49a.html#axzz2Ib4v6LEZ) after the British PM spoke in London on January 23.
“Britain will get EU referendum”, headlines the *Daily Express* claiming a front page victory for its campaign to hold the vote. [Columnist Patrick O'Flynn observes](http://www.express.co.uk/ourcomments/view/372653) Cameron announced his intention to lead a pro-European vote, before knowing what concessions he can negotiate. He continues –
This decision to put EU membership to the people is “a high risk but ballsy call”, [writes *The Sun’s* political editor](http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4758144/In-or-Out-its-YOUR-shout.html), Tom Newton Dunn, comparing the move to putting “a loaded gun to EU leaders' heads and saying: give Britain back what it wants or we may walk.” Describing the PM’s forthcoming negotiations as “a poker game with Brussels of intense bluff, and for the highest stakes” he adds that –
[For the BBC’s political correspondent](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21148282), Iain Watson, the in-out referendum decision will delight the many Eurosceptics in Cameron’s party and unite the Conservatives ahead of the 2015 election, but the renegotiation process may ultimately trigger future splits.
[*The Economist’s* “*Blighty*” blog notes](http://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2013/01/britains-drift-europe) that any renegotiation of the UK’s membership terms will be “minor and will carry a hefty diplomatic price tag.”
James Kirkup, deputy political editor at [*The Daily Telegraph*, says](http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jameskirkup/100199618/david-cameron-wants-to-save-the-eu-from-itself-will-it-save-him-from-his-party/) Cameron’s speech pushed the focus of the European project back on an economic and market-based principle, which may be welcomed by the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland. However, others “will not react well to what will strike them as an attempt at blackmail by a leader too politically weak to resist his own party.” He adds –