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MPs to debate 'in or out' EU vote | MPs to debate 'in or out' EU vote |
(10 minutes later) | |
MPs are to vote on whether to debate the Liberal Democrats' call for a referendum 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. |
'Real' referendum | 'Real' referendum |
The pro-European Liberal Democrats are expected to abstain in the vote on the Conservative amendment. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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." | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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. | |
Conservative leader David Cameron says he hopes they can 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 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?'" | "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?'" |