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MPs push Brown for EU treaty vote MPs push Brown for EU treaty vote
(about 1 hour later)
A cross-party campaign is seeking to step up the pressure on Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on the new EU Treaty.A cross-party campaign is seeking to step up the pressure on Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on the new EU Treaty.
MPs including ex-Labour ministers Kate Hoey and Frank Field have said they believe the government would "break its promise" if there is no referendum.MPs including ex-Labour ministers Kate Hoey and Frank Field have said they believe the government would "break its promise" if there is no referendum.
They will use a website, cinema adverts and events to put their message across.They will use a website, cinema adverts and events to put their message across.
A referendum on the EU constitution was pledged in 2005, but Mr Brown says the treaty is different to the abandoned constitution so no poll is needed.A referendum on the EU constitution was pledged in 2005, but Mr Brown says the treaty is different to the abandoned constitution so no poll is needed.
He said that Britain had got its way in the treaty's proposals for key areas such as justice and security - and as long as that does not change there should be no need for a poll.He said that Britain had got its way in the treaty's proposals for key areas such as justice and security - and as long as that does not change there should be no need for a poll.
"If we succeed in achieving our red lines in all the detailed negotiations, there will, in my view and in the government's view, be no need for a referendum," Mr Brown told the BBC on Monday."If we succeed in achieving our red lines in all the detailed negotiations, there will, in my view and in the government's view, be no need for a referendum," Mr Brown told the BBC on Monday.
There's a huge gap of cynicism between the electorate and us Frank Field MPFormer Labour minister
The "red lines" he refers to include Britain keeping control of its foreign policy, tax, benefits and criminal justice, and will be able to opt out of a charter of fundamental rights.The "red lines" he refers to include Britain keeping control of its foreign policy, tax, benefits and criminal justice, and will be able to opt out of a charter of fundamental rights.
But the prime minister's stance has not convinced Labour MP Gisela Stuart, one of those leading the I Want a Referendum campaign. But the prime minister's stance has not convinced Derek Scott, vice-chairman of Eurosceptic pressure group Open Europe, who is chairing the I Want a Referendum campaign.
"This is an issue of trust," she said. "We were elected on the promise of a referendum. "It's going to be, quite clearly, a difficult campaign," he told the BBC News website, acknowledging that some voters found it hard to engage with complicated EU policy documents.
"If we are serious about restoring trust in politics, we have to keep our promise and give people a say on this important decision." "We're trying to persuade people - but not by going into the details of Article 4 or Article 5, because that isn't something which is going to resonate with them very much.
Union pressure "But I do think they understand the basic issue here, which is a matter of trust, and there is a great deal of disillusionment with politicians of all parties."
The campaign is being chaired by Derek Scott, vice-chairman of Eurosceptic pressure group Open Europe. Meanwhile Mr Field, a former social security minister, added that most MPs "are returned with votes of only between 50% and 60% of the electorate".
It also involves Labour's Graham Stringer, Conservative MPs Michael Gove, Nick Herbert, David Heathcoat-Amory and Greg Hands, along with Mike Hancock of the Liberal Democrats. "There's a huge gap of cynicism between the electorate and us.
"They don't think we're interested in their views, and that we've got our own little agenda, and here is a chance of narrowing that divide. We should actually seize it with both hands."
Giant inflatable
Organisers of the campaign, launched next to the Houses of Parliament, used an inflatable ballot box measuring about 15ft (4.5m) to get their message across.
The initiative is also backed by Labour's Gisela Stuart and Graham Stringer, Conservative MPs Michael Gove, Nick Herbert, David Heathcoat-Amory and Greg Hands, plus Mike Hancock of the Liberal Democrats.
Pressure to organise a referendum, rather than just allowing the treaty through Parliament, is also likely to continue at next week's TUC annual conference, where a number of unions are set to table motions demanding a referendum.Pressure to organise a referendum, rather than just allowing the treaty through Parliament, is also likely to continue at next week's TUC annual conference, where a number of unions are set to table motions demanding a referendum.
They argue the treaty is almost the same as the failed EU constitution, on which a public vote was pledged.They argue the treaty is almost the same as the failed EU constitution, on which a public vote was pledged.
And shadow home secretary David Davis has said that voters believe they have been "promised" a chance to have their say.And shadow home secretary David Davis has said that voters believe they have been "promised" a chance to have their say.