South Dorset MP Richard Drax will defy Prime Minister David Cameron today and vote in favour of a referendum on Britain’s future in the European Union.

Mr Drax said he will rebel against the three-line whip being imposed on today’s backbench debate by voting for the motion proposing a bill to create a referendum offering three different options for Britain’s future participation in the EU.

These include remaining in the EU, leaving, or negotiating the terms of our membership.

It is supported by an online petition, which has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.

Mr Drax said: “Unless there are dramatic changes to Monday’s motion, I shall be voting against the Government. This very serious matter concerns the future of our country – a matter far more important than party politics.

“The time for talk, of which there has been so much for so many years, is over.”

He added: “When I stood as the candidate for South Dorset, I vowed to ‘get our country back’.

“We should trade with the EU but not be ruled by the EU. There is no alternative in my view – and in the view of many of my countrymen, if the polls are to be believed.

“I will not rest until I feel our sovereignty has been properly repatriated.”

David Cameron is facing potentially the most dangerous rebellion of his premiership so far with at least 61 Conservative MPs signing a motion calling for a referendum with some predicting the total number of rebels could top 85.

Mr Drax dismissed suggestions the debate should not be held when the Eurozone is in crisis.

“There is never a good time to make tough decisions, but the option of doing nothing will have potentially calamitous repercussions on our country as more and more taxpayers’ money is poured into this black hole called the Eurozone,” he said.

Mr Drax added he was ‘disappointed’ with the Government for imposing a three-line whip, labelling the measure ‘unnecessary’.