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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Miliband: Cameron has lost control of Tories over Europe | Miliband: Cameron has lost control of Tories over Europe |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron has "lost complete control" over the Conservative Party when it comes to the issue of Europe, Labour leader Ed Miliband has said. | David Cameron has "lost complete control" over the Conservative Party when it comes to the issue of Europe, Labour leader Ed Miliband has said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr Miliband said Tories were too busy arguing and Mr Cameron was "weak". | Mr Miliband said Tories were too busy arguing and Mr Cameron was "weak". |
| But the PM has accused Labour of lacking a coherent policy on Europe. | But the PM has accused Labour of lacking a coherent policy on Europe. |
| 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 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 . |
| In an unusual move, they will seek to amend their own government's motion welcoming the speech. | In an unusual move, they will seek to amend their own government's motion welcoming the speech. |
| 'Uncertainty' | 'Uncertainty' |
| 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 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. |
| Mr Miliband told the BBC that Mr Cameron had "completely lost control" of his party. | Mr Miliband told the BBC that Mr Cameron had "completely lost control" of his party. |
| Tories were "arguing amongst themselves about Europe and not sorting out problems of the country". | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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 | Abstention plan |
| But the Liberal Democrats oppose such a move and no plans were mentioned in the Queen's Speech. | But the Liberal Democrats oppose such a move and no plans were mentioned in the Queen's Speech. |
| This prompted the amendment, signed by 92 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 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 members' 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. |
| 'Decide later' | '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 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". |