This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7277644.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
MPs reject EU treaty referendum MPs reject EU treaty referendum
(10 minutes later)
MPs have rejected proposals to hold a UK-wide referendum on whether to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty.MPs have rejected proposals to hold a UK-wide referendum on whether to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty.
The House of Commons rejected the Conservative proposal by 311 votes to 248 votes, following a six-hour debate. The House of Commons rejected the Conservative proposal by 311 votes to 248 votes following a six-hour debate.
The result means Parliament itself will decide whether to ratify the treaty, signed by Gordon Brown and other EU leaders last December. The result means Parliament itself will decide whether to ratify the treaty, signed by EU leaders last December.
Earlier, two Liberal Democrat frontbenchers quit over the party's call to abstain on the referendum vote. Thirteen Lib Dem MPs rebelled against the party's orders to abstain on the referendum vote, with three frontbench spokesmen resigning their posts.
MPs rejected the Conservative amendment to the EU (Amendment) Bill by 63. It is not yet known how many rebels there were in the three main parties. MPs rejected the Conservative amendment to the EU (Amendment) Bill by 63. It is not yet known how many rebels there were among Labour and Conservative MPs.
ManifestosManifestos
All EU parliaments must ratify the treaty before it can come into force. The only country which has committed to a referendum is Ireland.All EU parliaments must ratify the treaty before it can come into force. The only country which has committed to a referendum is Ireland.
All three of the main UK political parties promised a public vote on the EU Constitution in their 2005 general election manifestos.All three of the main UK political parties promised a public vote on the EU Constitution in their 2005 general election manifestos.
But the constitution was rejected by the French and Dutch electorates later that year. The Lisbon Treaty was drawn up to replace it.But the constitution was rejected by the French and Dutch electorates later that year. The Lisbon Treaty was 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.
The government says most changes are minor and procedural and it has secured "opt-outs" where necessary.The government says most changes are minor and procedural and it has secured "opt-outs" where necessary.
Month-long debateMonth-long debate
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.
The Lib Dem leadership, which instead wants a referendum on whether the UK should stay within the EU, ordered its MPs to abstain in the Tory-led debate.The Lib Dem leadership, which instead wants a referendum on whether the UK should stay within the EU, ordered its MPs to abstain in the Tory-led debate.
But frontbenchers David Heath, Alistair Carmichael, Tim Farron and Sandra Gidley refused to do so. But 13 refused to do so, instead voting for a referendum on the treaty.
Mr Carmichael, the party's Scotland and Northern Ireland spokesman, resigned, as did Mr Farron, spokesman on rural affairs. Scottish affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael, countryside spokesman Tim Farron and justice spokesman David Heath resigned from the Lib Dem frontbench team.
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.