AN MP has pledged his support in the House of Commons for an In/Out referendum on Europe.

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, voted for the European Union (Referendum) Bill, designed to ensure Brits get a say on Europe during the next Parliament.

The Private Members Bill was brought forward by Conservative back bencher Bob Neil MP and calls for an in/out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union by the end of 2017.

Mr Neil told the house that a Conservative Government would renegotiate the country’s relationship with the EU.

Mr Francois said: “It is about time the British people were given their say on Europe and I am very pleased this Bill has been given a Second Reading to help secure an In/Out referendum in the next Parliament.

“I made my maiden speech in the Commons 13 years ago on the subject of Europe and I argued the EU had evolved way beyond the mandate the British people gave in the previous referendum in 1975.

“That is even more true today and I believe my constituents – and their fellow countrymen – should be allowed their say on Europe and this Bill will help that to become a reality.”