At last, a victory for honesty in EU debate

IN a belated but hugely welcome display of wisdom, David Cameron announces that ministers will be free to back either side in the EU referendum campaign without fear of losing their jobs.

The Mail is delighted that he has heeded this paper’s advice, opening the way for a full and honest debate on an issue whose importance for this country’s future cannot be exaggerated.

But his initial willingness to silence the sceptics merely added to the impression that he was determined from the outset to keep Britain in the EU, no matter what the outcome of the talks.

Even now, his eleventh-hour decision looks less like a wholehearted commitment to transparency than a reluctant surrender to pressure from Tory eurosceptics, led by heavyweights Lord Lawson and Lord Howard.

Indeed, voters may draw their own conclusions from the fact that only pro-EU lobbyists have fought to restrict debate.

But whatever Mr Cameron’s motives in lifting the gag, he is following the eminently sensible example set by Labour’s Harold Wilson in the referendum of 1975, when Britons were last consulted about Europe.

This paper hopes his decision will enliven and elevate the debate, perhaps bringing forward a figurehead to lend focus and weight to the woefully fractured ‘out’ campaign.

Just one question: with perhaps less than six months before the vote, why should ministers have to wait until after the February 17 summit before speaking their minds? After all, the Prime Minister is asking for so little from the EU that few eurosceptics will switch camps, even if all his demands are met in full.

But what if they are rejected? Is there still just a faint chance that he will spring a surprise on us all?

In the Commons yesterday, Mr Cameron repeated yet again that he ‘rules nothing out’ if he fails to get a good deal.

Don’t hold your breath. But when the ministerial gag comes off, is it just possible that he himself will be the first to call for pulling out?