David Cameron is to demand that Britain is no longer bound by the commitment to an "ever closer union" in Europe as part of his renegotiation of the UK's membership of the EU.

The Prime Minister said that he is determined to scotch fears that Britain could be "sucked into" a United States of Europe against its will, claiming the concerns have seen democratic consent for its membership "worn wafer thin".

Mr Cameron is committed to renegotiating the terms of Britain's membership then putting the results to the country in a straight in/out referendum by the end of 2017.

Writing in a Sunday ­newspaper, he has for the first time set out his key priorities for change in a seven-point plan.

They include:

l Powers flowing away from Brussels, not always to it

l National parliaments able to work together to block unwanted European legislation

l Businesses liberated from red tape and benefiting from the strength of the EU's own market to open up greater free trade with North America and Asia

l UK police forces and justice systems able to protect British citizens, unencumbered by unnecessary interference from the European institutions, including the European Court of Human Rights

l Free movement to take up work, not free benefits