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UK cabinet discussing EU deal

British Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith (R) and British Employment Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions Priti Patel (2L) arrive at Downing Street in London on February 20 , 2016 for a meeting of the cabinet following Prime Minister David Cameron

British cabinet is meeting to discuss details of an EU deal signed as part of the bloc’s efforts to keep the UK as its member.

Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron hailed the deal for granting Britain special status saying he would campaign hard now to convince voters to stay in the bloc that Britain joined in 1973.

"I will be campaigning with all my heart and soul to persuade the British people to remain in the reformed European Union," Cameron said. 

Though one of Cameron's closest political allies, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, will campaign to leave the EU, Finance Minister George Osborne and Interior Minister Theresa May backed Cameron.

The agreement reached after two days of intense negotiations, paves the way for the UK's EU referendum, expected to be held in June, and guarantees that Britain will never be forced to bail out members of the eurozone.

The deal also gives Britain the right to supervise financial institutions and markets to preserve financial stability.

Though British voters are split over membership, betting odds have moved further in favor of Britain remaining in the EU after Cameron's deal, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes.

 

Pro-Europeans warn an exit could trigger the break-up of the UK by prompting another Scottish independence vote. 

But, opponents of EU membership say Britain would prosper outside what they say is a doomed Germany-dominated bloc that punches way below its weight on the world stage.

The issue of Europe has divided the Conservatives for three decades and played a major role in the downfall of Cameron's two Conservative predecessors, Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Opinion polls show that a significant number of Britons have yet to make up their mind, though perceptions that the EU has failed to deal with the migrant crisis may be turning some towards a 'Brexit'.

Cameron is due to make a statement to parliament on Monday, triggering the start of the campaign for the referendum.


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