The long-awaited Commons debate and vote on whether to hold a referendum on the EU treaty takes place on Wednesday.
The long-awaited Commons debate and vote on whether to hold a referendum on the EU treaty takes place on Wednesday.
The Conservatives' call for a referendum is backed by the SNP and Plaid Cymru in the Commons along with some Lib Dem and Labour MPs.
The Conservatives' call for a referendum is backed by the SNP and Plaid Cymru in the Commons along with some Lib Dem and Labour MPs.
Labour MPs have been told to oppose it. Lib Dems have been told to abstain.
Labour MPs have been told to oppose it. Lib Dems have been told to abstain.
The Tories say all parties promised a referendum on the EU Constitution and the treaty is the mostly the same. The government says it is very different.
The Tories say all parties promised a referendum on the EU Constitution and the treaty is the mostly the same. The government says it is very different.
Wednesday's vote in the House of Commons, expected close to 1900 GMT, is seen as the key vote in the progress of the EU Amendment Bill which ratifies the treaty, through the UK Parliament.
Wednesday's vote in the House of Commons, expected close to 1900 GMT, is seen as the key vote in the progress of the EU Amendment Bill which ratifies the treaty, through the UK Parliament.
'Brown's troops'
'Brown's troops'
Conservative leader David Cameron says he hopes they will win, but that is unlikely unless a lot of Lib Dem MPs and Labour MPs rebel against their leadership.
Conservative leader David Cameron says he hopes they will win, but that is unlikely unless a lot of Lib Dem MPs and Labour MPs rebel against their leadership.
Mr Cameron urged both parties' MPs "to keep the word they gave to their constituents" on holding a referendum at the last election.
He urged both parties' MPs "to keep the word they gave to their constituents" on holding a referendum at the last election.
He appealed to Lib Dems, saying "they are not part of Gordon Brown's troops. They don't have to march to his tune".
He appealed to Lib Dems, saying "they are not part of Gordon Brown's troops. They don't have to march to his tune".
The Lib Dems pressed for a wider referendum vote but were defeated
The Lib Dems pressed for a wider referendum vote but were defeated
He said: "If enough of them vote with us and if there are enough Labour MPs who vote to keep their word, we can get the referendum that the British people were promised."
He said: "If enough of them vote with us and if there are enough Labour MPs who vote to keep their word, we can get the referendum that the British people were promised."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has defended his decision to tell his MPs to abstain, and maintained that he instead wants a referendum on the "real" issue - Britain's membership of the EU.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has defended his decision to tell his MPs to abstain, and maintained that he instead wants a referendum on the "real" issue - Britain's membership of the EU.
A debate on whether to allow the Lib Dem amendment on Tuesday ended in heavy defeat - 68 MPs backed the call, 471 voted against it.
A debate on whether to allow the Lib Dem amendment on Tuesday ended in heavy defeat - 68 MPs backed the call, 471 voted against it.
Mr Clegg told the BBC's Newsnight programme: "People should have a say, but not on the restrictive question of the treaty."
Mr Clegg told the BBC's Newsnight programme: "People should have a say, but not on the restrictive question of the treaty."
He said the amendment did "not get to the heart of the matter which is our fundamental relationship with the European Union".
He said the amendment did "not get to the heart of the matter which is our fundamental relationship with the European Union".
'Opt outs'
'Opt outs'
All three of the main parties promised a referendum on the EU constitution in their 2005 manifestos.
All three of the main parties promised a referendum on the EU constitution in their 2005 manifestos.
But the constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters that year and the Lisbon treaty drawn up to replace it.
But the constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters that year and the Lisbon treaty drawn up to replace it.
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.
It says most changes are minor and procedural and it has secured "opt-outs" where necessary.
It says most changes are minor and procedural and it has secured "opt-outs" where necessary.
But the Conservatives, some Labour and Lib Dem MPs and the UK Independence Party among others, 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 among others, say that it is effectively the constitution under a different name - so there should be a referendum.
All EU parliaments must ratify the treaty, which was signed by EU leaders last year, before it can come into force.
All EU parliaments must ratify the treaty, which was signed by EU leaders last year, before it can come into force.
MPs have been debating the different elements of the treaty over the past month.
MPs have been debating the different elements of the treaty over the past month.
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