UK minister would vote for Britain to leave EUMay 12, 2013 - 16:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Education Secretary Michael Gove would vote for Britain to leave the EU if there was a referendum today, he has said. He said Andrew Marr show "life outside would be perfectly tolerable, we could contemplate it". But he said the best course was to follow David Cameron's plan to renegotiate powers and "lead" the change Europe needed. And then to put the in/out question to the public in a referendum. Mr Gove is the most senior Conservative to date to publicly contemplate backing Britain's exit from the EU, although "friends" of the cabinet minister have previously told a newspaper that is where he stands. "I am not happy with our position in the European Union but my preference is for a change in Britain's relationship with the European Union," said Mr Gove. Tory backbenchers have tabled an amendment to the Queen's Speech regretting the absence of legislation paving the way for a referendum in the government's plans for the year ahead. Mr Gove described this as "letting off steam". And he said he planned to abstain if there was a Commons vote on the amendment. "My own view is let the prime minister lay out our negotiating strategy, make sure he has a majority, which I am convinced he will secure at the next election, and let's have the referendum then." Home Secretary Theresa May also said she would abstain in the Commons vote, which will be held on Tuesday or Wednesday if it is called by Speaker John Bercow, BBC News reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |