David Cameron says Britain rejects tighter EU bond

British Prime Minister David Cameron told European leaders yesterday that any attempt to force countries into ever-deeper political union was a mistake that Britain would not be part of.

Cameron's comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland came a day after he promised Britons a vote on quitting the European Union, saying the country would hold a referendum on its membership by the end of 2017 if he won the next election.

His words were among his most combative to an international audience on the future direction of the EU, but were also designed to reassure EU states and investors that Britain had no intention of turning its back on the EU, despite the planned referendum and the uncertainty it has generated.

"Countries in Europe have their histories, their traditions, their institutions, want their own sovereignty, their ability to make their own choices, and to try and shoehorn countries into a centralised political union would be a great mistake for Europe, and Britain wouldn't be part of it," he said in a speech.

Britain wanted to reform the EU from the inside for its own benefit and for the benefit of the bloc's other 26 members, Cameron said, adding he believed the EU had to reorient itself.

"Britain is a major European player on all of the issues where Europe needs to act - being more competitive, fighting terrorism, combating climate change - we are right out there leading the arguments, making the arguments," he said.

"And that is the sort of political action that we need. But a centralised political union? Not for me, not for Britain."