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Brown 'confident' of EU vote win Leaders clash over EU referendum
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown's spokesman says the government is "confident" of winning a crunch Commons vote on whether to hold a referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty. Gordon Brown has clashed in the Commons with Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem Nick Clegg over an EU referendum.
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. Mr Cameron said Mr Brown had lost his "courage" while the Lib Dem leader said the prime minister had "bottled it".
Labour MPs have been told to oppose it. Lib Dems have been told to abstain. Mr Brown hit back by accusing Mr Cameron of "appeasing" his eurosceptics and putting British jobs at risk. He ridiculed Lib Dem plans to abstain.
The exchanges came ahead of the debate and 1900 GMT vote on Tory calls for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
The Tories say all parties promised a referendum on the EU Constitution and the treaty is mostly the same.The Tories say all parties promised a referendum on the EU Constitution and the treaty is mostly the same.
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 is the key vote in the progress of the EU Amendment Bill which ratifies the treaty, through the UK Parliament.
Conservative leader David Cameron says he hopes they will win, but that is unlikely unless all opposition MPs (including Lib Dems) and about 34 Labour MPs rebel against their leadership.Conservative leader David Cameron says he hopes they will win, but that is unlikely unless all opposition MPs (including Lib Dems) and about 34 Labour MPs rebel against their leadership.
'Brown's troops''Brown's troops'
He 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 defeatedThe 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."
However, the prime minister's spokesman said: "It's an important vote. It's important that the government gets the vote through, but the government remains confident of winning the vote this evening."However, the prime minister's spokesman said: "It's an important vote. It's important that the government gets the vote through, but the government remains confident of winning the vote this evening."
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.
"We want a referendum on whether the United Kingdom stays in the European Union or not," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."We want a referendum on whether the United Kingdom stays in the European Union or not," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"That vote is not available to us - it was blocked yesterday by the Conservative and Labour parties.""That vote is not available to us - it was blocked yesterday by the Conservative and Labour parties."
What we are dealing with here is something that goes wider than Europe - it's an issue of trust in politics William HagueShadow foreign secretary Analysis: Battle commencesTimeline: EU treatyWhat we are dealing with here is something that goes wider than Europe - it's an issue of trust in politics William HagueShadow foreign secretary Analysis: Battle commencesTimeline: EU treaty
But Sandra Gidley, the Lib Dem health spokeswoman, said she would be defying the party whip and voting for a referendum.But Sandra Gidley, the Lib Dem health spokeswoman, said she would be defying the party whip and voting for a referendum.
"Rightly or wrongly, my constituents will perceive that I have broken a promise I made at the last election if I do anything other than vote in support of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty," she told Today."Rightly or wrongly, my constituents will perceive that I have broken a promise I made at the last election if I do anything other than vote in support of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty," she told Today.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband denied that it was the government's fear of losing a referendum that drove it to want to prevent the public from having a vote.Foreign Secretary David Miliband denied that it was the government's fear of losing a referendum that drove it to want to prevent the public from having a vote.
ScrutinyScrutiny
"I would dispute that - I don't accept that proposition... The job of Parliament must be to scrutinise legislation and to decide whether or not to pass it," he told the BBC."I would dispute that - I don't accept that proposition... The job of Parliament must be to scrutinise legislation and to decide whether or not to pass it," he told the BBC.
"In exceptional circumstances where there's a fundamental shift in the balance of power then of course a referendum should be held.""In exceptional circumstances where there's a fundamental shift in the balance of power then of course a referendum should be held."
HAVE YOUR SAY Let's have an open debate about what the treaty means to this country Mark Taylor, Leicester Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Let's have an open debate about what the treaty means to this country Mark Taylor, Leicester Send us your comments
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "What we are dealing with here is something that goes wider than Europe - it's an issue of trust in politics."But shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "What we are dealing with here is something that goes wider than Europe - it's an issue of trust in politics."
And ex-Labour minister Frank Field, who said he would be voting for a referendum, echoed that sentiment.And ex-Labour minister Frank Field, who said he would be voting for a referendum, echoed that sentiment.
"Whether this is a constitution or a treaty, most people thought they were going to get a vote on what we are voting for today," he told the BBC."Whether this is a constitution or a treaty, most people thought they were going to get a vote on what we are voting for today," he told the BBC.
'Cynical' poll'Cynical' poll
Tory ex-chancellor and pro-European MP Ken Clarke said he would not be supporting calls for a referendum.Tory ex-chancellor and pro-European MP Ken Clarke said he would not be supporting calls for a referendum.
"We've only ever had one UK-wide referendum in this country, which was a rather cynical one held by Harold Wilson many years ago and I hope we never have another," he told the BBC."We've only ever had one UK-wide referendum in this country, which was a rather cynical one held by Harold Wilson many years ago and I hope we never have another," he told the BBC.
"I actually believe in Parliamentary democracy and I think this ought to be determined by Parliament.""I actually believe in Parliamentary democracy and I think this ought to be determined by Parliament."
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.
'Opt-outs''Opt-outs'
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.
They will also be asked to consider an amendment tabled by Labour rebels, which would allow for a further supplementary question which might, for example, include a question on the future of the EU.They will also be asked to consider an amendment tabled by Labour rebels, which would allow for a further supplementary question which might, for example, include a question on the future of the EU.