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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cameron calls for EU 'free vote' | Cameron calls for EU 'free vote' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Gordon Brown has been urged to allow Labour MPs a "free vote" on whether to hold a referendum on the EU treaty. | Gordon Brown has been urged to allow Labour MPs a "free vote" on whether to hold a referendum on the EU treaty. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron asked if it was "right" to ask some Labour MPs to "vote against their beliefs". | Conservative leader David Cameron asked if it was "right" to ask some Labour MPs to "vote against their beliefs". |
| The prime minister said the treaty was no longer a "constitutional" one - and the Tories were also split over whether a referendum on it should be held. | The prime minister said the treaty was no longer a "constitutional" one - and the Tories were also split over whether a referendum on it should be held. |
| It comes as I Want a Referendum campaigners lobby Parliament, a week before a Commons vote on the issue. | It comes as I Want a Referendum campaigners lobby Parliament, a week before a Commons vote on the issue. |
| The group hopes to persuade more MPs to back their campaign, ahead of the vote on a Conservative amendment to the treaty bill, calling for a referendum. | |
| 'Conscientious belief' | 'Conscientious belief' |
| The three main parties promised a referendum on the EU Constitution in 2005 but the constitution was rejected in 2005 and the new treaty was drawn up instead. | The three main parties promised a referendum on the EU Constitution in 2005 but the constitution was rejected in 2005 and the new treaty was drawn up instead. |
| At prime minister's questions, Mr Cameron told the prime minister: "Today there are hundreds of people marching on Parliament and asking for the referendum they were promised on the EU Constitution. | At prime minister's questions, Mr Cameron told the prime minister: "Today there are hundreds of people marching on Parliament and asking for the referendum they were promised on the EU Constitution. |
| Welcome back; I hope this time you can stay long enough to hear the answers Gordon Brown to Nick Clegg | Welcome back; I hope this time you can stay long enough to hear the answers Gordon Brown to Nick Clegg |
| "Will he at least accept that it can't be right to ask his own members of Parliament - many of whom really feel a conscientious belief that they signed up to a manifesto - to vote against their consciences. Can that be right?" | "Will he at least accept that it can't be right to ask his own members of Parliament - many of whom really feel a conscientious belief that they signed up to a manifesto - to vote against their consciences. Can that be right?" |
| He added: "If the prime minister is so confident of his position ... he should give them a free vote." | He added: "If the prime minister is so confident of his position ... he should give them a free vote." |
| Mr Brown replied that the "constitutional concept" had been abandoned in Brussels adding: "This is an amending treaty and not a constitutional treaty." | Mr Brown replied that the "constitutional concept" had been abandoned in Brussels adding: "This is an amending treaty and not a constitutional treaty." |
| Tory disagreements | Tory disagreements |
| He pointed out there were disagreements within the Conservative Party about whether it required a referendum and challenged Mr Cameron to say if he would continue to campaign for a referendum, even if the treaty was ratified across Europe. | He pointed out there were disagreements within the Conservative Party about whether it required a referendum and challenged Mr Cameron to say if he would continue to campaign for a referendum, even if the treaty was ratified across Europe. |
| The Liberal Democrat leadership says it will not back the Conservative amendment and has instead called for a referendum on the wider question of Britain's membership of the EU. | The Liberal Democrat leadership says it will not back the Conservative amendment and has instead called for a referendum on the wider question of Britain's membership of the EU. |
| But on Tuesday, that topic was not called for debate, prompting an angry protest by Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey, who was eventually ordered out of the Commons, followed by many Lib Dem MPs. | But on Tuesday, that topic was not called for debate, prompting an angry protest by Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey, who was eventually ordered out of the Commons, followed by many Lib Dem MPs. |
| On Wednesday, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg criticised "clapped out, 19th Century practices" which had prevented his party having that debate. | On Wednesday, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg criticised "clapped out, 19th Century practices" which had prevented his party having that debate. |
| Mr Brown replied that there was no support for such a referendum, adding: "Welcome back; I hope this time you can stay long enough to hear the answers." | Mr Brown replied that there was no support for such a referendum, adding: "Welcome back; I hope this time you can stay long enough to hear the answers." |
| The EU Reform Treaty, signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other national leaders in Lisbon in December, was designed to replace the constitution. | The EU Reform Treaty, signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other national leaders in Lisbon in December, was designed to replace the constitution. |
| Ministers argue that no referendum is needed as the treaty merely amends the EU's existing constitution, rather than overwriting it - as the failed constitution would have done. | Ministers argue that no referendum is needed as the treaty merely amends the EU's existing constitution, rather than overwriting it - as the failed constitution would have done. |
| But the Tories, UKIP and various groups, including I want a Referendum, say the two documents are substantially the same and that the public must have a say. | But the Tories, UKIP and various groups, including I want a Referendum, say the two documents are substantially the same and that the public must have a say. |
| I Want a Referendum's lobbying of MPs is expected to last several hours. | I Want a Referendum's lobbying of MPs is expected to last several hours. |