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Unions to vote on EU referendum | Unions to vote on EU referendum |
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The TUC's ruling body has failed to agree a statement on the European Union treaty which could have headed off a vote on whether to hold a referendum. | The TUC's ruling body has failed to agree a statement on the European Union treaty which could have headed off a vote on whether to hold a referendum. |
Union delegates at the TUC now look set to vote on Wednesday on motions from the RMT and GMB urging a referendum. | Union delegates at the TUC now look set to vote on Wednesday on motions from the RMT and GMB urging a referendum. |
Both say the treaty is almost the same as the discarded EU constitution, but they differ on what action to take. | |
Gordon Brown says a decision should be left to Parliament. The Tories plan to force a Commons vote on the issue. | |
Differences | Differences |
The GMB is calling for a vote in order to push the government to end its opt-out from European social legislation. | |
But the RMT's motion goes further in demanding that the TUC should actively campaign for a "no" vote in the event of a referendum. | But the RMT's motion goes further in demanding that the TUC should actively campaign for a "no" vote in the event of a referendum. |
If either motion is passed by the TUC, it will add to the pressure on the prime minister to hold a public vote. | If either motion is passed by the TUC, it will add to the pressure on the prime minister to hold a public vote. |
Labour MPs should stick to what they promised. They should vote for our motion when we bring it forward David Cameron Brown facing EU treaty vote test | |
The Conservative Party, UK Independence Party and a number of Labour and Lib Dem MPs are also calling for a referendum. | The Conservative Party, UK Independence Party and a number of Labour and Lib Dem MPs are also calling for a referendum. |
On Tuesday, David Cameron told Daily Telegraph Web TV he would force a Commons vote demanding a referendum on the treaty. | |
"Labour MPs should stick to what they promised. They should vote for our motion when we bring it forward in the House of Commons," he said. | |
Last month, Mr Brown said: "The proper way to discuss this is through detailed discussion in the House of Commons and the House of Lords." | Last month, Mr Brown said: "The proper way to discuss this is through detailed discussion in the House of Commons and the House of Lords." |
He added that he was confident Parliament would pass the treaty. | He added that he was confident Parliament would pass the treaty. |
The government argues that it differs substantially from the EU constitution on which a referendum was promised before it was discarded, having been rejected by Dutch and French voters in 2005. | |
But opponents say the documents are largely the same in substance and that the promise of a referendum, made ahead of the last general election, should still apply. | But opponents say the documents are largely the same in substance and that the promise of a referendum, made ahead of the last general election, should still apply. |