Nick Clegg: 'Britain is better off in European Union'

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said Britain is ''better off as a continued member of Britain's biggest, borderless single market'', in his speech to the British Chambers of Commerce in London.

The organisation's director-general, John Longworth, has called for a referendum on Britain's EU membership within 12 months of the general election, to reduce economic uncertainty.

"I believe this endless hokey-cokey about whether or not we stay in the EU is destabilising for British business,'' said Mr Clegg.

''My party's view is clear. Yes to a referendum if and when the rules of the game change. In other words, when there is a new EU treaty," he added.