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Vaz adds to EU referendum calls Vaz adds to EU referendum calls
(30 minutes 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 told the BBC it was time for British people to be allowed to decide the UK's place in Europe "once and for all".
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, the Labour MP for Leicester East said.
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 'Convinced'
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. Mr Vaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We should not be afraid of actually putting this argument before the British people.
"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." "We don't need a referendum on the reformed treaty because we didn't have one on the Nice Treaty or on Maastricht. But I think there's a difference between need and desirability.
Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Vaz said Gordon Brown should not be afraid of putting his arguments before the British people. "And I think once and for all we need to put this behind us by putting it to 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." "And I am absolutely convinced that we will win any test of public opinion as to whether or not the British people want us in Europe, at the heart of Europe, which is what's happened over the last 10 years, or whether they want us to turn our back on Europe."
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 called 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 believes 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. But Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the constitution had been "abandoned" and MPs would see the new treaty was in the UK's best interests.