Cameron told to expect resignations after EU vote warning

Prime Minister David Cameron was warned June 8 that some of his ministers would likely resign after he demanded his cabinet back any deal he struck on EU reform and vote to stay in the bloc in a forthcoming referendum.

Cameron made the comments after a group of more than 50 lawmakers from his Conservative party said they would lead calls for Britain to leave the European Union unless he secures major concessions from Brussels.
 
"If you want to be part of the government you have to take the view that we are engaged in an exercise of renegotiation to have a referendum and that will lead to a successful outcome," Cameron said at the G7 summit.
 
"Everyone in government has signed up to the programme set out in the Conservative manifesto," he added, in comments reported by the British media.
 
Cameron has pledged to campaign for Britain to remain in the EU after renegotiating the country's ties with the bloc ahead of the vote, planned by 2017.
 
"The government isn't neutral in this. We have a clear view: renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in it," he said June 7.
 
But Cameron is vulnerable to resistance from the eurosceptic wing of his Conservative party, which has only a slim majority in parliament.
 
A newly formed group, Conservatives for Britain, which looks set to lead calls to leave the EU, is said to have the support of at least 50 Tory lawmakers so far.
 
Its chairman in parliament, lawmaker Steve Baker, said he expected some ministers would resign rather than campaign in favour of staying the European Union.
 
"If we don't get a sovereign parliament, I would be quite surprised if one or two don't resign. But that really is...