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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Vaz adds to EU referendum calls | Vaz adds to EU referendum calls |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Former Europe Minister Keith Vaz has added his voice to those calling for a referendum on the new EU treaty. | Former Europe Minister Keith Vaz has added his voice to those calling for a referendum on the new EU treaty. |
| He tells the Sun it is time for British people to be allowed to decide if the UK's place is at the heart of Europe. | He tells the Sun it is time for British people to be allowed to decide if the UK's place is at the heart of Europe. |
| The referendum could be held on the same day as the next general election, added the Labour MP for Leicester East. | The referendum could be held on the same day as the next general election, added the Labour MP for Leicester East. |
| Critics say the treaty is almost the same as the discarded EU constitution, on which a referendum was promised, but ministers say this is not true. | Critics say the treaty is almost the same as the discarded EU constitution, on which a referendum was promised, but ministers say this is not true. |
| Labour support | Labour support |
| In an open letter to the newspaper, Mr Vaz writes: "I believe the time has come for the government to hold a referendum and decide once and for all Britain's place is at the heart of Europe. | |
| "The British people should have a chance to vote in a referendum on the treaty which will enable us to continue our engagement with Europe." | "The British people should have a chance to vote in a referendum on the treaty which will enable us to continue our engagement with Europe." |
| Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Vaz said Gordon Brown should not be afraid of putting his arguments before the British people. | |
| He added: "He's been a terrific prime minister since he took over, he will make that judgement, but I think that we shouldn't leave it to the eurosceptics to constantly make the arguments." | |
| The Tories, UKIP and the GMB and RMT unions have joined calls for a referendum. | The Tories, UKIP and the GMB and RMT unions have joined calls for a referendum. |
| Ian Davidson, a Labour MP spearheading a campaign for a referendum, has told BBC News he believed he could gain the support of up to 120 Labour MPs. | Ian Davidson, a Labour MP spearheading a campaign for a referendum, has told BBC News he believed he could gain the support of up to 120 Labour MPs. |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the constitution had been "abandoned" and MPs would see the new treaty was in the UK's best interests. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the constitution had been "abandoned" and MPs would see the new treaty was in the UK's best interests. |