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Nick Clegg: Tory MPs moving goalposts on EU referendum | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has accused Eurosceptic Tory MPs of "moving the goalposts" on an EU referendum. | |
Mr Clegg, standing in for David Cameron at prime minister's questions, said the government had already passed legislation guaranteeing an EU referendum if the rules change. | |
The Tory MPs want an EU referendum even if there is no rule change. | |
Labour's Harriet Harman accused Mr Cameron, who is in the United States, of hiding from the debate. | |
She said Mr Cameron had only attended Prime Minister's Questions once in the past eight weeks. | |
Up to 100 Tory MPs are expected to vote for an amendment expressing "regret" at the lack of a bill promising an "in-out" referendum on the EU in the Queen's Speech. | |
Ms Harman said it was extraordinary that Mr Clegg would not say whether the PM would have voted "for the government, against the government or showing real leadership by abstaining" in a vote on an amendment to the Queen's Speech later. | |
A series of Tory MPs also asked the deputy PM why he was not backing the idea of an in-out referendum. | |
Mr Clegg told them: "We did actually spend 100 days in this House in the early part of this parliament passing legislation... which for the first time ever gives a guarantee in law about when a referendum on Europe will take place - when the rules change, when new things are asked of the United Kingdom within the European Union. | |
"You and your colleagues in the Conservative Party are perfectly free to change the goalposts but we have this legislation, the people of Britain have a guarantee when a referendum will take place and that is what I suggest we should all go out and promote." | |
Mr Clegg added that as changes were expected to the EU he thought it was a "matter of when, not if" this "referendum lock" would be triggered. | |
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. |
Labour leader Ed 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. | 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". |