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Conservative MPs set for EU referendum vote Miliband: Cameron has lost control of Tories over Europe
(about 2 hours later)
Up to 100 Tory MPs are expected to vote to "regret" the lack of an EU referendum bill in the Queen's Speech. David Cameron has "lost complete control" over the Conservative Party when it comes to the issue of Europe, Labour leader Ed Miliband has said.
Many backbenchers are angry that the Conservative promise of an in-out vote by 2017 was not mentioned in the government's plans for the year ahead . The comments come as up to 100 Tory MPs are expected to vote to show their "regret" at the lack of a bill promising an "in-out" referendum on the EU in last week's Queen's Speech.
In an unusual move, they will seek to qualify their own government's motion welcoming the Queen's Speech. Mr Miliband said Tories were too busy arguing and Mr Cameron was "weak".
The move comes despite a draft bill on a referendum being published on Tuesday, in an effort to calm tensions. But the PM has accused Labour of lacking a coherent policy on Europe.
Arguments over Europe have been building within the Conservative Party over several months. Many Conservative backbenchers are angry that Mr Cameron's promise of an in-out vote by 2017 was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech, which sets out the government's plans for the year ahead .
Many backbenchers have been urging the leadership to enshrine its promise of a referendum - which would follow a renegotiation of the UK's relationship with the EU - into legislation. In an unusual move, they will seek to amend their own government's motion welcoming the speech.
'Courageous' 'Uncertainty'
But the Liberal Democrats oppose such a move and no plans were mentioned in the Queen's Speech, which lays out the coalition government's programme for the next session of Parliament. This is set to go ahead despite the Conservative leadership on Tuesday making a concession by publishing a draft bill on holding a referendum, in an effort to calm tensions.
This prompted the amendment, signed by 78 MPs, which is expected to be debated on Wednesday afternoon. This is dependent upon Speaker John Bercow granting time, which is thought likely given the strength of feeling. Mr Miliband told the BBC that Mr Cameron had "completely lost control" of his party.
The Conservative leadership, by publishing the separate draft bill on a referendum, will hope to cut the number of votes in favour. Tories were "arguing amongst themselves about Europe and not sorting out problems of the country".
"Frankly this has become not just an issue about Europe, but about David Cameron's weak leadership of his party."
But Mr Cameron has countered Labour's criticism by arguing that he is the only major party leader to be promising a referendum, in the event of winning a parliamentary majority at the next general election, in 2015.
Asked about his own plans, Mr Miliband replied: "The Labour Party's position is we don't think it is right now to commit to an in-out referendum in four years' time. We think it would cause uncertainty for the country at a time when we are trying to sort out the problems of the economy.
"Let's focus on sorting out jobs and living standards and problems the economy faces. By contrast you see a Conservative Party that is... just banging on about Europe and not sorting out the problems the economy faces."
Arguments over Europe have been building within the Conservative Party over several months, with many MPs worried about the rise in popularity of the anti-EU membership UK Independence Party.
Backbenchers have been urging the leadership to enshrine its promise of a referendum - which would follow a renegotiation of the UK's relationship with the EU - into legislation.
Abstention plan
But the Liberal Democrats oppose such a move and no plans were mentioned in the Queen's Speech.
This prompted the amendment, signed by 78 MPs, which will be debated on Wednesday afternoon with a vote expected at about 19:00 BST.
The Conservative leadership, by publishing its separate draft bill on a referendum, will hope to cut the number of votes in favour of the amendment.
The party hopes that the draft bill can be carried forward by a Tory MP as a private member's bill, as, without Lib Dem backing, it cannot be a government bill.The party hopes that the draft bill can be carried forward by a Tory MP as a private member's bill, as, without Lib Dem backing, it cannot be a government bill.
Given that the Conservatives do not have a Commons majority, and the limited parliamentary time available for private member's bills, it would be highly unlikely to enter law but would act as a signal to backbenchers of the prime minister's intent. Given that the Conservatives do not have a Commons majority, and the limited parliamentary time available for private members' bills, it would be highly unlikely to enter law but would act as a signal to backbenchers of the prime minister's intent.
The ballot to choose who can bring forward private member's bills will be held on Thursday.The ballot to choose who can bring forward private member's bills will be held on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mr Cameron has asked his ministers to abstain in the vote on the Queen's Speech amendment.Meanwhile, Mr Cameron has asked his ministers to abstain in the vote on the Queen's Speech amendment.
Question 'Decide later'
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told BBC One's Breakfast he would do so, adding: "The prime minister has taken the courageous decision to say our relationship with Europe is not right.Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told BBC One's Breakfast he would do so, adding: "The prime minister has taken the courageous decision to say our relationship with Europe is not right.
"If we are going to succeed in the race with more dynamic parts of the world, then we need a Europe that allows its member countries to be much more competitive and doesn't stifle us with regulations and slow us down.""If we are going to succeed in the race with more dynamic parts of the world, then we need a Europe that allows its member countries to be much more competitive and doesn't stifle us with regulations and slow us down."
He said: "David Cameron is the only party leader who is prepared to commit to that."He said: "David Cameron is the only party leader who is prepared to commit to that."
Two cabinet ministers - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Education Secretary Michael Gove - have said they would vote to leave the EU if relations with Brussels remain as they currently are,Two cabinet ministers - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Education Secretary Michael Gove - have said they would vote to leave the EU if relations with Brussels remain as they currently are,
Mr Hunt said he wanted to see what powers a future Tory government could reclaim, adding: "Then I will decide."Mr Hunt said he wanted to see what powers a future Tory government could reclaim, adding: "Then I will decide."
The Conservative draft bill states that voters would be asked: "Do you think that the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union?"
Downing Street has 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.
Mr Cameron said he was the first party leader in "30, 40 years" to offer the public a choice on the UK's membership of the EU on the basis of a "reassessment" of what is in the country's national interest.
"The whole reason we are having this debate is because of the act of leadership I took to say it is time now for Britain to renegotiate our relationship, to seek change in Europe and seek a referendum for that change," the prime minister, who is on an official visit to the US, added.
Labour said committing to hold a referendum in four years' time was not the "right choice" for the country and internal Tory "machinations" were causing uncertainty at a time when securing economic recovery should be the government's priority.
The Lib Dems said the coalition 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 coalition 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.
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage - who campaigns for a UK exit - described the proposed draft bill as "nothing more than gesture politics".UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage - who campaigns for a UK exit - described the proposed draft bill as "nothing more than gesture politics".