Liam Fox urges EU membership changes The senior Tory upped the pressure on David Cameron by insisting the Prime Minister should ignore Liberal Democrat objections and push for fundamental change now. However, he also dismissed growing calls for an immediate in-out referendum - warning there was a risk that Eurosceptics could lose it. The intervention came in Dr Fox's first major speech since resigning from the Cabinet last year amid allegations over inappropriate links to a lobbyist. "I do not believe that Britain's national interest is served by its current relationship with the EU," Dr Fox said. There are those, including a growing number of my parliamentary colleagues, who call for a simple 'in or out' referendum to be held in Britain soon. I too believe that a referendum will be vital but I believe that having one now would be a huge error with enormous tactical risks. It is not a coincidence that some convinced euro-enthusiasts support such referendum calls, confident that a scare campaign based on false fears of political and economic isolation would win the day. Instead, I would like to see Britain negotiate a new relationship with the EU based on economic rather than political considerations and set out in clear and unambiguous language. If we succeed a referendum should be held and formal acceptance advocated. If, on the other hand, this approach is rejected outright or falls short of necessary 'red lines', then we would have no alternative but to recommend rejection and consider departure from the EU. Dr Fox said he trusted Mr Cameron to tackle the issues and act in the "best interests" of the British people. But he admitted that making changes while the Tories were in coalition with the Europhile Lib Dems would not be easy. He also said he would not have been able to make the same speech calling for renegotiation if he was still in the Government. Mr Cameron has been accused of offering "jam tomorrow" after offering to call a referendum once the future shape of the EU became clear. In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, he insisted that an immediate in-out referendum was not what the public wanted. But the premier acknowledged the need to ensure the UK's position within an evolving EU had "the full-hearted support of the British people." However, influential eurosceptic backbencher Mark Pritchard said Tory grassroots were "fed up of aluminium guarantees" and insisted there should be a referendum during the current parliament. Asked whether he trusted the Prime Minister to push for renegotiation, Dr Fox told the event in Westminster - organised by the Taxpayers' Alliance think tank - that he did. "I know his commitment to getting the best deal for the British people," he added. He admitted it was "not easy" to get change while the Tories were in government with the Lib Dems. "We have to be willing to accept that politics is not about politicians," he said. Politics is supposed to be about the people and the people of this country are unhappy about the relationship we have. Every bit of polling data suggests this. It is therefore the duty of politicians to listen to what the people are saying rather than telling the people what they ought to do. Dr Fox said he had been told for 20 years that Britain was "winning the arguments" on Europe, and it was "simply not true." There will be those who say that this is the wrong time and that it is politically difficult or even impossible. These are the perpetual arguments for inertia," he went on. It is the British public who must be the final arbiters and their voice has been ignored for too long. Politicians of all parties must show that they are able and willing to put the national interest ahead of narrow electoral interests. We should not wait for EU leaders to recognise the failure of the ill-conceived euro before we set out what we want for the British people. Dr Fox denied that his speech was part of a comeback effort after his resignation last year, and said it would not have been possible for him to make such comments from the front bench. "I don't imagine I would be giving this speech from the heart of government," he said. At least I would not be at the heart of government for more than about 25 minutes. Mr Cameron's official spokesman said that the position on a referendum which the Prime Minister set out over the weekend did not represent a shift from his comments at the European Council last Friday, when he appeared to be ruling out a poll. "I don't think his view has changed," the spokesman told a daily media briefing in Westminster. What he said on Friday was that he didn't think an in/out referendum was the right question. He has set out the position very clearly in his article yesterday. When it comes to the EU, there is ongoing uncertainty and that is at the heart of the argument he makes. It would seem that the EU is going to change, but precisely how it changes we don't know at the present time and I don't think the other 26 members of the EU are able to say with any certainty how it will change.