He said the wording of the question put to voters was "hugely" important, and as a "starting point" proposed: "Do you wish to be a free, independent sovereign democracy?"
Under his plans for the referendum, the four million EU nationals living in Britain on foreign passports - including his German wife Kirsten - would not be allowed to vote.
He said he would demand strict spending limits on campaigning, and an ombudsman to "police coverage" of any referendum
That seems more than reasonable.
Meanwhile, back in La-la land Cameron offers this soundbite:
"We are the Conservative Party. We don't do pacts and deals.
Err, yes you do, squire, that is why you are in a coalition government with the LibDems.