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Peers to consider EU vote calls Peers reject EU referendum call
(about 2 hours later)
The Lisbon treaty is expected to move a step closer to ratification as peers debate it in House of Lords. The Lisbon Treaty has moved closer to ratification after the House of Lords rejected a call for a referendum.
A wide range of views are expected on whether there should be a referendum - but peers will not be given a vote on the issue at this stage. The proposal was put forward by Tory peer Lord Blackwell, who said the public could not rely on promises made by political parties.
The Tories - who want a referendum - are expected to hold fire until the bill's report stage in June. But the proposal was defeated by 195 votes to 135 - a majority of 60.
They will then mount a last ditch bid to force one - although it looks unlikely to succeed. The Conservatives, who want a referendum, are expected to hold fire until the EU Treaty Bill's report stage in the Lords in June.
They will then mount a last-ditch bid to force one - although it looks unlikely to succeed.
Lib Dem peers are expected to vote with the government, although there are likely to be dissenting voices on both the Labour and Lib Dem benches.Lib Dem peers are expected to vote with the government, although there are likely to be dissenting voices on both the Labour and Lib Dem benches.
But there are also a number of prominent pro-European Conservatives who are likely to back the government's stance.But there are also a number of prominent pro-European Conservatives who are likely to back the government's stance.
Royal AssentRoyal Assent
The report stage debates are expected on 4 and 9 June in the Lords, with a vote expected on 11 June - the day before Irish voters go to the polls in their referendum on the Lisbon treaty.The report stage debates are expected on 4 and 9 June in the Lords, with a vote expected on 11 June - the day before Irish voters go to the polls in their referendum on the Lisbon treaty.
If the EU (Amendment) Bill clears a third reading in the Lords it will then go for Royal Assent, although the EU treaty could be stalled by a 'no' vote in Ireland - the only EU nation holding a referendum. If the EU (Amendment) Bill clears a third reading in the Lords it will then go for Royal Assent, although the treaty could be stalled by a "no" vote in Ireland - the only EU nation holding a referendum.
All we are seeking is a declaration by the court that the government, in breaking its promise to have a referendum, is doing something unlawful Stuart WheelerAll we are seeking is a declaration by the court that the government, in breaking its promise to have a referendum, is doing something unlawful Stuart Wheeler
In March, MPs voted in the Commons by 346 votes to 206 to approve the EU (Amendment) Bill, after topic-by-topic debates over six weeks.In March, MPs voted in the Commons by 346 votes to 206 to approve the EU (Amendment) Bill, after topic-by-topic debates over six weeks.
But it must be cleared by the House of Lords before it can become law.But it must be cleared by the House of Lords before it can become law.
The Tories are pushing for a referendum on the grounds that the treaty is the same as the failed EU constitution, on which all three main parties promised a vote. The Tories are pushing for a referendum on the grounds that the treaty is largely the same as the failed EU constitution, on which all three main parties promised a vote.
Labour argues it is a different document which does not contain the same far-reaching constitutional changes so a referendum is not necessary.Labour argues it is a different document which does not contain the same far-reaching constitutional changes so a referendum is not necessary.
Legal challengeLegal challenge
Lib Dem MPs were prevented from debating their preferred option of a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the EU when the Bill was in the Commons.Lib Dem MPs were prevented from debating their preferred option of a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the EU when the Bill was in the Commons.
But their peers look set to be given an opportunity to vote on this issue in the Lords when UKIP peer Lord Pearson of Rannoch tables an amendment calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.But their peers look set to be given an opportunity to vote on this issue in the Lords when UKIP peer Lord Pearson of Rannoch tables an amendment calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.
There will also be a vote on whether a referendum on Britain's future entry to the euro should be enshrined in law. There will also be a vote on whether a referendum on Britain's future entry to the Euro should be enshrined in law.
It comes as the House of Commons confirmed it had instructed the Attorney General to intervene in a legal challenge by millionaire Stuart Wheeler to the government's decision not to hold a referendum on the EU treaty.It comes as the House of Commons confirmed it had instructed the Attorney General to intervene in a legal challenge by millionaire Stuart Wheeler to the government's decision not to hold a referendum on the EU treaty.
The Speaker's Office insisted the move was not an attempt to derail Mr Wheeler's challenge, which will be heard in the High Court on 9 and 10 June.The Speaker's Office insisted the move was not an attempt to derail Mr Wheeler's challenge, which will be heard in the High Court on 9 and 10 June.
"The Speaker has no interest in the substantive issue, his sole concern is that the court proceedings respect Parliamentary privilege," a spokesman said."The Speaker has no interest in the substantive issue, his sole concern is that the court proceedings respect Parliamentary privilege," a spokesman said.
'Unlawful treaty''Unlawful treaty'
It is likely to mean Mr Wheeler's legal team will not be able to use Commons documents or publications in presenting their case.It is likely to mean Mr Wheeler's legal team will not be able to use Commons documents or publications in presenting their case.
Under the 1688 Bill of Rights, Commons proceedings can not be cited in court proceedings.Under the 1688 Bill of Rights, Commons proceedings can not be cited in court proceedings.
The Attorney General will instruct legal counsel to act in the case, alongside Jonathan Sumption QC for the government, who represented the government during the Hutton inquiry. The attorney general will instruct legal counsel to act in the case, alongside Jonathan Sumption QC for the government, who represented the government during the Hutton inquiry.
Mr Wheeler insisted he was not seeking to challenge Parliament's authority, merely hold the government to account over its promise of a referendum on the EU constitution, which he argues is the same as the Lisbon treaty.Mr Wheeler insisted he was not seeking to challenge Parliament's authority, merely hold the government to account over its promise of a referendum on the EU constitution, which he argues is the same as the Lisbon treaty.
"We are not asking the Commons to do anything, all we are seeking is a declaration by the court that the government, in breaking its promise to have a referendum, is doing something unlawful," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."We are not asking the Commons to do anything, all we are seeking is a declaration by the court that the government, in breaking its promise to have a referendum, is doing something unlawful," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Asked about his chances of success, he said: "If we get the declaration that we are asking the courts to make, that the refusal to grant a referendum is unlawful I don't see the government continuing taking no notice of that."Asked about his chances of success, he said: "If we get the declaration that we are asking the courts to make, that the refusal to grant a referendum is unlawful I don't see the government continuing taking no notice of that."