George Osborne wants 'single market' role in EU "Britons want to be in Europe, not run by Europe," Mr Osborne said in an interview recorded last week on a visit to New York. Moves to address the eurozone debt crisis by integrating the economies of the single currency countries create an "opportunity" for Britain to slim down its involvement with the EU, Mr Osborne said. He said: "We are happy to be part of a single market, we are happy to be part of a free trading zone, we are happy to have the policies that come around that - and indeed other polices that are part of the EU -- but we are not part of your single currency, we do not need to be part of your ever-closer union, and there are things that we want back." The Chancellor's suggestion of a single-market membership comes as growing numbers of Conservatives back a call for a referendum offering voters the choice between a slimmed-down common market membership and outright exit. The so-called "common market or out" option is backed by many MPs and several ministers, but critics suggest it is a false choice because other EU states will not agree Britain to opt out of so many of the rules that they apply. In a speech next month, David Cameron is expected to set out plans for a referendum on European issues after the next general election. The increasingly sceptical tone of British political debate about Europe has worried some EU leaders, who fear the UK could end up leaving the union. Others are irritated by British demands for concessions at a time when the eurozone is still struggling. Wolfgang Schaeuble, the German finance minister, warned Britain not to push too hard for a reduced membership deal. "We want to keep Britain in the EU and not force it out," Mr Schaeuble told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. But I will also say that does not mean anyone can blackmail us. Mr Schaeuble said a referendum on UK membership of the EU would "dangerous," adding: "Our British friends are not dangerous. But a referendum would create uncertainty," he said. In his interview on the Charlie Rose show, Mr Osborne insisted that said he does not want Britain to leave the EU, signalling that would campaign to stay in the union at a referendum. Asked if Britain will leave the EU, he replied: "I certainly hope not. It is my intention to make sure it does not.