David Cameron: EU referendum law 'will succeed' "If this Bill passes, and I believe it can pass, then we will have set out in law the need for a referendum on an in-out basis before the end of 2017," he said. That is my policy, that is what I want to see and I'll do everything I can to support this Bill and get it through the House of Commons so that we can renegotiate in Europe and then put a real choice to people before the end of 2017. That is the clear Conservative position that I will champion and I believe we will succeed. Speaking in the House of Commons during the debate, Mr Wharton, the MP for Stockton South, said he was proud to propose a vote that millions want. "It is an honour for me to put forward a Bill that at its heart, the heart of our democracy - that powers should reside with the people," he said. In proposing this Bill I speak for many here, I speak for many millions outside because it was in 1975 of course that the Labour government gave the British people a say on our membership of the European community. William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, also challenged Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs to vote for the bill if they are "true democrats." Mr Hague said it was "the right Bill, at the right time" to give voters a say on the UK's membership of the EU. The Foreign Secretary said: "The efforts of those who want to build European integration without bringing the people with them have been utterly self-defeating. The EU now lacks democratic legitimacy because so many of those most enthusiastic about ever-closer union have been afraid of asking what people might think of it. Although the speakers were mostly Conservatives, some Labour MPs backed the bill. Dennis Skinner, the veteran MP for Bolsover, even called for a vote before the next election, rather than before 2017 as proposed by the Conservatives. In 1971, I voted against the then Common Market and I voted for a referendum in 1975. Sadly, the country didn't follow my advice or we wouldn't be doing what we are doing here today," he said. However, there is one thing deficient in this Bill - it doesn't ask for a referendum until 2017. What we need is a referendum before the next election. Will you give that guarantee? Today's second reading of the European Union (Referendum) Bill in the House of Commons is the first formal stage of its progress through Parliament. The legislation would oblige the Government of the day to hold another Commons vote on an in/out EU referendum by 2017.