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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Vaz adds to EU referendum calls | Vaz adds to EU referendum calls |
| (about 4 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 told the BBC it was time for British people to be allowed to decide the UK's place in Europe "once and for all". | 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, the Labour MP for Leicester East said. | 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. |
| 'Convinced' | 'Convinced' |
| Mr Vaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We should not be afraid of actually putting this argument before the British people. | Mr Vaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We should not be afraid of actually putting this argument before the British people. |
| "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. | "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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY It's disgusting that politicians want to sign us up to a treaty without asking us first Phil, UK class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=7233&edition=1&ttl=20070831104557">Send us your comments "And I think once and for all we need to put this behind us by putting it to the British people. | |
| "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." | "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 called 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 believes 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. |
| 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. | 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. |