REDDITCH'S MP has said she "strongly" supports plans to renegotiate the country's relationship with the EU but more work is needed.

Karen Lumley made the comments in the aftermath of David Cameron's controversial reform package.

Mrs Lumley said the Prime Minister would have to wait before finding out if he had her support.

As MPs across the country reacted to the PM's crunch talks, she admitted he was still unsure what to do.

It comes as some elements of the national media attacked Mr Cameron head-on, with the Daily Mail calling him 'delusional'.

She said: "I strongly support the Government's efforts to renegotiate the country's relationship with the EU. 

"But there is detail to be worked on before a summit on 18-19 February.

"I will of course await the full outcome of negotiations before deciding whether I will support Britain's continuing membership of the EU, but you can be sure that, when the full details do emerge, all the arguments for and against our membership will come to the fore and will be debated in the full public glare."

The refusal to sign up immediately to the premier's package is a blow to Mr Cameron, who is fighting off a rebellion from Eurosceptics.

During a rough ride at Prime Minister's Questions this week Mr Cameron called the draft reforms "the best of both worlds" but Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused him of "tinkering around the edges".

Mrs Lumley added: "In the meantime I am proud that the Government is sticking up for Britain's interests at home and abroad and welcome this opportunity for the people to decide on the country's future."

An in/out referendum is expected to be held as early as June, giving voters across Worcestershire and the rest of the country the historic chance to have a say.

 

SO WHAT'S IN MR CAMERON'S DEAL?

THE Prime Minister wanted a ban on EU migrants getting in-work benefits for their first four years in the UK - but will instead accept a watered down version if his biggest pledge of all.

Under the offer, an 'emergency brake' will apply where working benefits can be restricted for 'up to four years', if the welfare system is under pressure.

There will be a catch - with the EU insisting the restrictions should be phased, so any payments gradually increase from nothing to the full rate over that time period.

Mr Cameron also wanted a complete ban on child benefits for EU migrants, but it will continue to be paid 'at the same rate as in the child's home country'.

There are 28 different levels of child benefit across the EU, with Britain's among the most generous.

The PM also called for parliament to be able to block unwanted EU legislation, and has secured a compromise on that.

Under the proposed change, if 55 per cent of all the parliaments object to EU legislation with three months of it being tabled, the council presidency can block it.

It would leave Britain needing support from 14 other member states to work towards blocking any new unwanted EU laws.

The premier secured a significant victory over exempting Britain from what he called an "ever closer union", with the EU agreeing that the UK is 'not committed to any further political integration'.

Mr Cameron's deal also stops foreign criminals and terrorists from using human rights arguments to avoid deportation, but his hopes of opting out of the 48-hour working time directive and changing the Common Agricultural Policy have been dropped.

The package is still in draft form and needs to be firmed up over the coming weeks.