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MPs to debate 'in or out' EU vote MPs to debate 'in or out' EU vote
(20 minutes later)
MPs are to vote on whether to debate the Liberal Democrats' call for a referendum to be held on the UK's membership of the European Union. MPs are to vote on whether to debate the Liberal Democrats' call for a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.
In an unusual move, Speaker Michael Martin has left MPs to decide on whether there should be such a debate.In an unusual move, Speaker Michael Martin has left MPs to decide on whether there should be such a debate.
The Lib Dems walked out of the House of Commons last week after their call for a debate was rejected by Mr Martin.The Lib Dems walked out of the House of Commons last week after their call for a debate was rejected by Mr Martin.
The vote - expected at 1620 GMT - comes a day before MPs vote on Tory calls for a referendum on the new EU treaty.The vote - expected at 1620 GMT - comes a day before MPs vote on Tory calls for a referendum on the new EU treaty.
Tory leader David Cameron has called on Lib Dems to join Labour rebels and most of his MPs in backing a referendum being held on the treaty itself.Tory leader David Cameron has called on Lib Dems to join Labour rebels and most of his MPs in backing a referendum being held on the treaty itself.
There has been a long-running campaign for there to be a referendum on the treaty after one was promised by all three main parties on the now abandoned EU constitution. 'Real' referendum
The government and the Lib Dems say no referendum is needed on the treaty because it does not have constitutional implications. The pro-European Liberal Democrats are expected to abstain in the vote on the Conservative amendment.
Instead the Lib Dems say they want a referendum on what leader Nick Clegg calls the "real" issue - the whole question of whether Britain should remain in the EU.
David Cameron's Conservatives have the opportunity to give the British public a say on the real question Nick Clegg
Their efforts to secure a debate to that effect were frustrated last week when Speaker Michael Martin chose not to allow it.
Angry outbursts from frontbencher Edward Davey that it was "an outrage" and he was being "gagged" led to him being ordered out of the Commons - followed by a mass walkout by his colleagues.
On Tuesday Mr Martin decided to use a little-known piece of Parliamentary procedure to let MPs decide whether an "in or out" debate should be held on Wednesday.
Constitution row
Party leader Mr Clegg said: "David Cameron's Conservatives have the opportunity to give the British public a say on the real question that will settle Britain's European future once and for all: an in-out referendum."
There has been a long-running campaign for there to be a referendum on the new EU treaty.
They are not part of Gordon Brown's troops. They don't have to march to his tune David Cameron
The treaty was designed to replace the EU constitution, on which all three of the main parties promised a referendum in their 2005 manifestos.
But the constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
The government and the Lib Dems say the treaty does not have constitutional implications, so a referendum on it is not needed.
But the Conservatives, some Labour and Lib Dem MPs and the UK Independence Party, all say that it is effectively the constitution under a different name - so there should be a referendum.But the Conservatives, some Labour and Lib Dem MPs and the UK Independence Party, all say that it is effectively the constitution under a different name - so there should be a referendum.
The Lib Dems, led by Nick Clegg, are pro-European Union and support the EU treaty and have said they will oppose calls for a referendum on the treaty. Wednesday's vote in the House of Commons - expected in the early evening - is seen as the key vote in the Eu treaty's progress through the UK Parliament.
Mr Clegg said: "David Cameron's Conservatives have the opportunity to give the British public a say on the real question that will settle Britain's European future once and for all: an in-out referendum." Conservative leader David Cameron says he hopes they could win - but said "a lot depends" on support from rebel Lib Dem MPs.
"They are not part of Gordon Brown's troops. They don't have to march to his tune," Mr Cameron said.
"They can make up their own minds and they have got a very simple choice tomorrow when we vote: 'Do I keep the promise I made to my voters and have a referendum or do I sit on the fence and abstain, allowing the government to get away with cheating the British electorate?'"