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Cameron 'very happy' as Tories promise EU referendum bill Cameron 'very happy' as Tories promise EU referendum bill
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron is "very happy" with the state of the debate over Europe, Downing Street has said, as the Conservatives prepare to publish a bill aimed at reassuring the party's MPs.David Cameron is "very happy" with the state of the debate over Europe, Downing Street has said, as the Conservatives prepare to publish a bill aimed at reassuring the party's MPs.
Many Tories are unhappy plans for an in-out EU referendum were not mentioned in the Queen's Speech, and will try to amend it in a debate on Wednesday.Many Tories are unhappy plans for an in-out EU referendum were not mentioned in the Queen's Speech, and will try to amend it in a debate on Wednesday.
But the PM says the party will instead publish a draft bill later on Tuesday.But the PM says the party will instead publish a draft bill later on Tuesday.
This would offer MPs a "clear route" to change, his spokesman said.This would offer MPs a "clear route" to change, his spokesman said.
The draft bill would set out in law how the Conservatives would deliver their promised referendum in 2017 if they win the next election.The draft bill would set out in law how the Conservatives would deliver their promised referendum in 2017 if they win the next election.
The fact the draft bill was not mentioned in last week's Queen's Speech, which lays out the government's plans for the next year, infuriated many Tory MPs who want the pledge firmed up or accelerated.
'Commitment''Commitment'
In a debate on the Queen's Speech this Wednesday, they will propose an amendment, expressing "regret" at the failure to include it in the government's plans. The fact the draft bill was not mentioned in last week's Queen's Speech, which lays out the government's plans for the next year, infuriated many Tory MPs who want the pledge firmed up or accelerated.
In a debate on the Queen's Speech this Wednesday, they will propose an amendment, expressing "regret" at the failure to include it in the government's plans.
There is little chance of this succeeding, as the Liberal Democrats, Labour and pro-European Tories oppose it, but a significant vote in favour would be an embarrassment for the prime minister.There is little chance of this succeeding, as the Liberal Democrats, Labour and pro-European Tories oppose it, but a significant vote in favour would be an embarrassment for the prime minister.
Around 100 Conservative backbenchers and ministerial aides are expected to back the amendment or abstain, but the party leadership is hoping to reduce this number by publishing the draft bill.Around 100 Conservative backbenchers and ministerial aides are expected to back the amendment or abstain, but the party leadership is hoping to reduce this number by publishing the draft bill.
Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC that publishing the draft bill was a "demonstration of our commitment to a referendum".Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC that publishing the draft bill was a "demonstration of our commitment to a referendum".
And Downing Street said: "The prime minister has set out a very clear route for this country to take and nothing that has happened has changed that path."And Downing Street said: "The prime minister has set out a very clear route for this country to take and nothing that has happened has changed that path."
The spokesman dismissed any comparisons between Mr Cameron and former Prime Minister Sir John Major, whose government was damaged by ongoing rows about Europe during the 1990s.The spokesman dismissed any comparisons between Mr Cameron and former Prime Minister Sir John Major, whose government was damaged by ongoing rows about Europe during the 1990s.
The draft legislation is being published by the Conservatives so that it can be brought to the Commons for debate by one of the party's backbench MPs in the form of a private member's bill, rather than one sponsored by the government.The draft legislation is being published by the Conservatives so that it can be brought to the Commons for debate by one of the party's backbench MPs in the form of a private member's bill, rather than one sponsored by the government.
The ballot to choose who can bring forward private members' bills will be held on Thursday and, although they have little chance of becoming law, there is non-government parliamentary time available for them to be debated. The ballot to choose who can bring forward private members' bills will be held on Thursday and, although they have little chance of becoming law, there is non-government parliamentary time available for them to be debated.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the Conservatives were pursuing this route because they assume their Lib Dem coalition partners would block any move to allow MPs to debate an EU referendum in government time. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the Conservatives' strategy was aimed at persuading the public they would only get an EU referendum if they vote for them at the next election and contrast this with Labour and Liberal Democrat opposition.
On Monday, Mr Cameron - who is on a trip to the US - said it was in the "national interest" to renegotiate the UK's relationship with EU before holding a referendum. On Monday, Mr Cameron - who is on a trip to the US - said his approach was in the "national interest" and holding a referendum now would provide a "false choice" between the status quo and an immediate exit.
However, having one now would provide a "false choice" between the status quo and an immediate exit, he said.
Nevertheless, two senior cabinet ministers - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Education Secretary Michael Gove - have said they would vote to quit the EU if a poll was held straight away.Nevertheless, two senior cabinet ministers - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Education Secretary Michael Gove - have said they would vote to quit the EU if a poll was held straight away.
'Bogged down''Bogged down'
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Foreign Secretary William Hague refused to say how he would vote in a referendum, but declared himself "certainly a Eurosceptic". Conservative chairman Grant Shapps told BBC Radio 4's The World at One that the draft bill had been in preparation for several months and the timing of its publication had nothing to do with Wednesday's vote - in which MPs were "entitled" to express their views.
He added: "The best thing to do is to try to get some legislation through. That's why we are publishing this draft bill." But Tory MP Philip Hollobone told the same programme that No 10 had been "in chaos" over the past week on the issue and it should have published the draft bill at the time of last week's Queen's Speech.
Eurosceptic Tory MP John Baron, one of the key movers behind the Queen's Speech amendment, said a draft bill could get "bogged down by a determined minority" and fail. And Eurosceptic Tory MP John Baron, one of the key movers behind the Queen's Speech amendment, said the PM should have the "courage" to support it and "force Labour and the Liberals to decide" their position on the EU.
Instead Mr Cameron should have the "courage" to support the amendment to the Queen's Speech and "force Labour and the Liberals to decide" their position on the EU. "If we won, the prime minister would then have the mandate to introduce legislation through the normal channels which would have a far better chance of success," Mr Baron told Radio 4's Today.
"If we won, the prime minister would then have the mandate to introduce legislation through the normal channels which would have a far better chance of success," Mr Baron told Today. More pro-European Tories have said there must be an orderly process leading up to any vote over the UK's future in the EU.
"The prime minister should seize the moment presented by our amendment. He can legitimately claim to the Liberals that the situation was not of his making and therefore not within the confines of coalition agreement." Former Justice Secretary Ken Clarke urged his colleagues to "move on" from the current wrangling and warned that leaving the EU would be "catastrophic" for the UK's economic prospects and global standing.
More pro-European Tories have warned against a "kneejerk reaction" and said there must be an orderly process leading up to any vote over the UK's future in the EU. Labour says committing to hold a referendum in four years' time is not the "right choice" for the country and internal Tory "machinations" are causing uncertainty at a time when securing economic recovery should be the government's priority.
Labour says committing to hold a referendum in four years' time makes no sense and creates uncertainty at a time when securing economic recovery should be the government's priority. "Our agenda is reform and change within Europe, not exit from the European Union," said shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander.
"This seems to be just the latest panicked response from the prime minister who is now following, rather than leading, his backbenchers," said shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander. The Lib Dems said the government had already legislated to seek public approval before any further powers were handed to Brussels, and accused their coalition partners of "navel-gazing" over Europe.
The Lib Dems said the government had already legislated to seek public approval before any further powers were handed to Brussels, and having a referendum "in response to nothing" was self-defeating and a distraction, adding that the Conservatives' strategy was "in chaos".
The UK Independence Party - which campaigns for a UK exit - has raised the possibility of Conservative and Labour candidates who favour withdrawal standing under a joint banner with UKIP at the next election.The UK Independence Party - which campaigns for a UK exit - has raised the possibility of Conservative and Labour candidates who favour withdrawal standing under a joint banner with UKIP at the next election.
Leader Nigel Farage described the proposed draft bill as "nothing more than gesture politics".Leader Nigel Farage described the proposed draft bill as "nothing more than gesture politics".