Cameron pins hopes on July referendum

politician’s future. I think that’s very important because otherwise we might not get the clear answer that we need.”

The Prime Minister also used the interview to say that he is “hopeful” he will be able to hold the EU referendum this summer. It is believed the in-out vote will be held in July, with September still a possibility if there are any delays.

“I’m hopeful of a deal in February and if we do that we can go ahead and hold the referendum,” Mr Cameron said. “There is a huge prize for Britain if we can deal with the things that drive us up the wall about Europe.”

Asked about the prospect of a summer referendum, Mr Cameron said: “That is what I’d like to see… is a deal in February and a referendum that would follow.”

However, he made clear that the vote could still be delayed if he is unable to get a deal at next month’s European Council. He said: “I have to have this referendum by the end of 2017, that’s now the law of the land.”

Mr Davis said that he will vote to leave the EU and predicted that the majority of Conservative backbenchers will do likewise.

He said that it is “disgraceful” that contingency plans are not being made for a UK exit.

“It’s a very complicated operation to carry out if it happens,” he said.

Owen Paterson, the former environment secretary, said: “The Government would be wise to have some contingency plans should there be a vote to leave.

“If there is a clear request from the British people to begin negotiations to leave they should be prepared. That seems common sense.”

David Cameron has revealed he “often” has an alcoholic drink after work and urged people to make their own choices about whether to adhere to new drinking guidelines. After a week which saw a tightening of official recommendations for alcohol intake, the Prime Minister denied the Government was being heavy-handed, saying: “This Tory isn’t a nanny.”

He said the guidance had been put into the public domain so people could take their own views on how to respond.

New guidelines issued on alcohol warned there is no such thing as a safe level of drinking.

Dame Sally Davies, the UK’s chief medical officer, said research showed any amount of alcohol can increase cancer risk.

Men and women were both advised to consume no more than 14 units a week – the equivalent of six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine.

She also suggested that, instead of having a drink after work, Britons should consider having a cup of tea or another non-alcoholic drink.