Cameron refuses to rule out Brexit, says recasting EU ties hard work

Prime Minister David Cameron said his renegotiation of Britain's ties with the European Union was "bloody hard work" and refused to rule out campaigning for a British exit in a referendum if other EU leaders failed to grant him the concessions he wants. 

As his ruling Conservative Party gathered for an annual meeting, Cameron urged his party to be patient over Britain's relationship with Europe ahead of a vote on membership which he has promised by the end of 2017. 

"If I don't get what I want then I rule nothing out," Cameron told BBC television when asked if he was prepared to lead Britain out of the bloc. 

"But I am confident we will get what we need," he said in the northern English city of Manchester, where arguments over whether Britain's should remain an EU member have overshadowed domestic announcements such as paid time off for older workers to look after their grandchildren. 

For at least a generation, Cameron's party has been riven by a conflict over Britain's relationship with Europe that contributed to the downfall of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, the last two Conservative prime ministers. 

When asked if Britain was drifting towards the EU exit, Cameron said: "I am trying to get for Britain the things that we need and obviously once I have got them I will turn around and make the case for staying in a reformed Europe." 

Under pressure from lawmakers who feared the electoral success of the anti-EU UK Independence Party, Cameron in 2013 promised to hold a referendum, though UKIP won just one seat in this year's parliamentary election and Cameron won the first Conservative outright majority since 1992. 

Thousands of protesters against spending cuts are expected to march past the...