British Queen Announces EU Referendum to Be Held Before End of 2017

Accompanied by the Prince Consort, Prince Philip, Britain`s Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen`s Speech from the throne in the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London 27 May 2015. Photo: EPA

British Queen Elizabeth II announced on Wednesday that the planned referendum on the UK's continued membership to the EU will take place before the end of 2017.

The referendum is one of the points on the government programme of the Conservatives, who were reelected to power with an overall majority after the general elections on May 7.

The measures were unveiled in the traditional Queen's Speech, which had been prepared by the government, the BBC reports.

The other measures include more free childcare, a ban on income tax, VAT and national insurance increases for five years, more free schools.

The programme also foresees the devolution of further powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The reelected Prime Minister David Cameron said that the package, which contained 26 bills, was a “programme for working people”.

According to him, the proposed measures will result in full employment and bring the country together as “one nation”.

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