Britain's Queen Elizabeth said on Wednesday the government would pass a law paving the way for a referendum on the country's membership of the European Union, in a speech setting out Prime Minister David Cameron's legislative plan for the coming year.
"Early legislation will be introduced to provide for an in-out referendum on membership of the European Union before the end of 2017," the queen said, speaking in parliament.
"My government will renegotiate the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union and pursue reform of the European Union for the benefit of all member states," she added.
