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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Declare treaty 'dead' Brown urged | Declare treaty 'dead' Brown urged |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Conservative leader David Cameron has told Gordon Brown to show "backbone" and declare the EU treaty "dead". | Conservative leader David Cameron has told Gordon Brown to show "backbone" and declare the EU treaty "dead". |
| He was speaking as the House of Lords prepared for a vote which could ratify the treaty, despite voters in the Irish Republic rejecting it in a referendum. | |
| At prime minister's questions Mr Cameron said: "This is not a treaty Britain wanted or needed." | At prime minister's questions Mr Cameron said: "This is not a treaty Britain wanted or needed." |
| Mr Brown said he respected the Irish vote - but ratifying it showed respect for the MPs who had voted for it. | Mr Brown said he respected the Irish vote - but ratifying it showed respect for the MPs who had voted for it. |
| He added: "Just as we have respect for the Irish, we should have respect for the other countries that are processing the treaty and ratifying the treaty as well. | He added: "Just as we have respect for the Irish, we should have respect for the other countries that are processing the treaty and ratifying the treaty as well. |
| "And perhaps we should also have respect for this House, which has also voted for ratification of the treaty." | "And perhaps we should also have respect for this House, which has also voted for ratification of the treaty." |
| 'Ridiculous' | 'Ridiculous' |
| But Mr Cameron said: "Either this treaty is dead or it isn't. I simply don't understand why you don't have the courage to say that it is dead. | But Mr Cameron said: "Either this treaty is dead or it isn't. I simply don't understand why you don't have the courage to say that it is dead. |
| "Because you won't take a lead and declare the treaty dead, everyone suspects you and others in Europe are going to make the Irish vote again. | "Because you won't take a lead and declare the treaty dead, everyone suspects you and others in Europe are going to make the Irish vote again. |
| "Will you guarantee that you would never support such an arrogant and high-handed move. | "Will you guarantee that you would never support such an arrogant and high-handed move. |
| "It would be ridiculous to ask the Irish to vote twice, when we haven't even been allowed to vote once." | "It would be ridiculous to ask the Irish to vote twice, when we haven't even been allowed to vote once." |
| The House of Lords has begun debating whether to ratify the EU reform treaty - its final Parliamentary hurdle. | The House of Lords has begun debating whether to ratify the EU reform treaty - its final Parliamentary hurdle. |
| During a question about the treaty, a woman was removed from the public gallery after shouting: "Give us a referendum." | During a question about the treaty, a woman was removed from the public gallery after shouting: "Give us a referendum." |
| It could be given Royal Assent on Thursday and the government would then deposit documents known as "instruments of ratification" in Rome. | It could be given Royal Assent on Thursday and the government would then deposit documents known as "instruments of ratification" in Rome. |
| But it will not come into force until all 27 countries have also deposited their instruments of ratification. | But it will not come into force until all 27 countries have also deposited their instruments of ratification. |
| If one or more countries does not ratify the treaty, a future British government could withdraw from it. | If one or more countries does not ratify the treaty, a future British government could withdraw from it. |
| Conservative peer Lord Howell has tabled an amendment to delay the third reading of the bill to until 20 October in the light of the Irish vote. | Conservative peer Lord Howell has tabled an amendment to delay the third reading of the bill to until 20 October in the light of the Irish vote. |
| EU foreign ministers have said member countries which have not yet ratified the treaty should still press ahead. | EU foreign ministers have said member countries which have not yet ratified the treaty should still press ahead. |
| Summit | Summit |
| Lord Howell told BBC News: "The situation has changed totally. | Lord Howell told BBC News: "The situation has changed totally. |
| "Our duty as an amending chamber is to really give the elected chamber, the Commons, a chance to look at it again and they certainly should do so. | "Our duty as an amending chamber is to really give the elected chamber, the Commons, a chance to look at it again and they certainly should do so. |
| "We do that by postponing it and then amendments can be moved later. | "We do that by postponing it and then amendments can be moved later. |
| "The thing needs thinking about and it seems bit silly to close it all down now and ratify a treaty which is technically dead." | "The thing needs thinking about and it seems bit silly to close it all down now and ratify a treaty which is technically dead." |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the Irish result should be respected but there should also be a "British view" on the treaty. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the Irish result should be respected but there should also be a "British view" on the treaty. |
| Foreign ministers will meet for a two-day summit in Brussels on Thursday which is expected to chart the way ahead. | Foreign ministers will meet for a two-day summit in Brussels on Thursday which is expected to chart the way ahead. |
| The Lisbon treaty aims to streamline the decision making of the European Commission but critics say it will transfer more power to unelected officials in Brussels. | The Lisbon treaty aims to streamline the decision making of the European Commission but critics say it will transfer more power to unelected officials in Brussels. |
| It includes removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post. | It includes removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post. |