Many Tories, however, were unimpressed by Sir John's comments. They feel emboldened to act because they believe parliamentary pressure effectively forced Mr Cameron to make his referendum promise - and played a big role in his successful bid for a real-terms cut in the EU's budget from 2014-20, which was agreed this month.
In October 2011, 81 Tory rebels defied Mr Cameron's orders at thetime to demand a referendum on EU membership in a Commons vote - a stance which is now party policy following the Prime Minister's landmark speech last month.
A year later, more than 50 Tory Eurosceptics voted with Labour against the government on a real-term reduction in the 2014-20 EU budget.
They have turned their attention to a referendum paving Bill before the next election in an attempt to lock Mr Cameron in to his promise - and put Labour and the Liberal Democrats on the spot in a Commons vote.
Some feel that without a major move this side of the next election, the Conservatives will not be believed by voters. David Cameron pledged in 2009 to stage a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if the Tories won power, only to back down from his promise later.
Nick de Bois, the secretary of the 1922 Committee of Conservative, backbenchers, said: "David Cameron has shown magnificent leadership with EU policy by putting the UK's interests first, and by inviting the British public to have their say on our future relationship with the EU.
"The icing on the cake would be a paving bill for the referendum inthis parliament to leave no doubt in the public's mind that it is onlyan outright Conservative government, not Labour, and most certainly not a new coalition that will deliver that referendum."
Mark Pritchard, a former secretary of the 1922 Committee, said: "A Bill would help disperse the mistrust of all those inside and outside of parliament who just don’t trust any political leader to deliver on their Europe promises.
"It would give added weight to the Prime Minister’s new European policy”.
Another Tory MP, who did not wish to be named, said: "I share the concern that unless a paving Bill this parliament is achieved, the referendum pledge will only be seen as another pledge which will not be delivered.
"A Bill would show the public we are committed to this, as well allaying some concerns about trust on this issue."
Mr Cameron is determined to resist moves for a paving Bill in the current parliament. In any Commons vote, the Liberal Democrats would be likely to vote with Labour to block it - potentially fracturing the coalition because of the seriousness of the issue.
Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, has been criticised for putting forward a confused message on the referendum pledge after telling MPs he does not support a public vote at the moment.
Amid signs of internal Opposition tensions on the issue, Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, last week warned Labour would be "stupid" to fight the next election opposing a referendum.
If we allow ourselves either to be the ‘status quo party’ on Europe,or the ‘anti-referendum party’ on Europe, then we’ve got a problem," Mr Balls added.
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