Queen Elizabeth said on May 27 that the British government would pass a law paving the way for a referendum on the country's membership in the European Union.
In a speech to parliament setting out Prime Minister David Cameron's legislative plan for the coming year, the Queen said, "Early legislation will be introduced to provide for an in-out referendum on membership of the European Union before the end of 2017."
"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," said the Queen.
Cameron, who says he would prefer to stay inside a reformed EU but isn't "ruling anything out" if it fails to change, was reelected on May 7 on a pledge to reshape ties with the 28-member bloc before allowing Britons to vote on whether to stay or leave.