article_snippet: Close ties with Angela Merkel' are seen as vital. '
article_snippet: But now the relationship with Germany is on a more formal footing, and Angela Merkel' had made clear Prime Minister wants us to stay.'
article_snippet: Speaking at Angela Merkel' campaign launch in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Angela Merkel' said: 'We are unambiguous as a party that says "yes, Europe needs to be reformed, yes there needs to be a referendum when a decision needs to be made about the transfer of powers to the European Union, We guaranteed that in law".
highlights_snippet: Foreign Office insiders say renewed relationship with Angela Merkel is key .
  