When Westminster debates a motion for a referendum on Europe on Monday, there will be one MP surprisingly voting against it.
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies is a well known Euro-sceptic, and has been since Britain joined the European Union as it is known today.
But he concedes that now is not the time to be thinking of going it alone and says it could be “disastrous” if a lengthy and time consuming public debate was held in the coming months.
"Now is absolutely the wrong time,” said Mr Davies (pictured). “It would be disastrous for the economy of the UK, if we were to become involved in an In/Out referendum at this time, and it would inevitably impact of our credit rating and the interest rates at which we access money on the financial markets. It would also create chaos within the EU, at a time when there is a real danger of serious financial problems in the Euro-zone - smashing the UK economy in the backwash, destroying UK businesses and jobs.
“A referendum on the UK leaving the EU would be a disaster for those of us who are opposed to further European integration, as it was in 1975. All three party leaders at Westminster are alarmed by the prospect of what damage this self indulgent, self destructive motion could inflict on our economy, and will lead their parties into the No lobbies. I am desperately keen to see a referendum on an issue where the British public can express their view on further integration of the UK into the EU, and we will hold one if any such moves are proposed. We would have held a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if we had been able to. I also hope for opportunities to repatriate power from the EU - but it’s just not the time to go for it.
“It’s very upsetting for me and other Euro-sceptics that we are being forced into a position of voting against a principle we support, because its being put forward without preparation, and at the wrong time. Big decisions, like whether to leave the EU or not, must be carefully planned and thought through - not some knee-jerk response that will cause great damage to our country.”