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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Cameron to push referendum debate | Cameron to push referendum debate |
| (1 day later) | |
| Tory leader David Cameron has pledged to force a Commons vote on whether a referendum should be held on the new European Union treaty. | Tory leader David Cameron has pledged to force a Commons vote on whether a referendum should be held on the new European Union treaty. |
| Mr Cameron said he would "push the government all the way" by holding an Opposition Day debate on the issue shortly after MPs return in October. | Mr Cameron said he would "push the government all the way" by holding an Opposition Day debate on the issue shortly after MPs return in October. |
| TUC delegates are due to vote on the issue on Wednesday - motions from the RMT and GMB back a referendum. | TUC delegates are due to vote on the issue on Wednesday - motions from the RMT and GMB back a referendum. |
| The government insists that a referendum is not necessary. | The government insists that a referendum is not necessary. |
| Gordon Brown says it is not the same as the constitution - on which the Labour government promised a referendum, until it was rejected by Dutch and French voters in 2005. | Gordon Brown says it is not the same as the constitution - on which the Labour government promised a referendum, until it was rejected by Dutch and French voters in 2005. |
| 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 class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6990862.stm">Brown and unions square up | |
| But Mr Cameron, in an interview for Telegraph TV, said Labour's manifesto pledge had been to hold a referendum and they should not be allowed to "break that promise". | But Mr Cameron, in an interview for Telegraph TV, said Labour's manifesto pledge had been to hold a referendum and they should not be allowed to "break that promise". |
| He said the treaty was about "passing powers from Westminster to Brussels" and said: "We will push the government all the way on this issue. | He said the treaty was about "passing powers from Westminster to Brussels" and said: "We will push the government all the way on this issue. |
| "When Parliament returns we will hold an Opposition day debate where we will put down a very simple and clear motion that we support a referendum on the European constitution." | "When Parliament returns we will hold an Opposition day debate where we will put down a very simple and clear motion that we support a referendum on the European constitution." |
| Cross-party campaign | Cross-party campaign |
| He added: "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 added: "Labour MPs should stick to what they promised. They should vote for our motion when we bring it forward in the House of Commons." |
| A cross-party campaign for a referendum, which includes some Labour former ministers, was launched last week. | A cross-party campaign for a referendum, which includes some Labour former ministers, was launched last week. |
| On Tuesday the TUC's ruling body failed to agree a statement on the EU treaty which could have headed off a vote on whether to hold a referendum. | On Tuesday the TUC's ruling body failed to agree a statement on the EU treaty which could have headed off a vote on whether to hold a referendum. |
| The reform treaty confirms that we will continue to control our foreign and defence policies. The constitution didn't spell this out Jim MurphyEurope minister | The reform treaty confirms that we will continue to control our foreign and defence policies. The constitution didn't spell this out Jim MurphyEurope minister |
| Union delegates at the TUC conference now look set to vote on Wednesday, on motions from the RMT and GMB urging a referendum. | Union delegates at the TUC conference 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. | Both say the treaty is almost the same as the discarded EU constitution, but they differ on what action to take. |
| The GMB is calling for a vote in order to push the government to end its opt-out from European social legislation. | 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. |
| Brown 'confident' | Brown 'confident' |
| 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. |
| The UK Independence Party and a number of Labour and Lib Dem MPs are also calling for a referendum. | The UK Independence Party and a number of Labour and Lib Dem MPs are also calling for a referendum. |
| 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. | The government argues that it differs substantially from the EU constitution. |
| Europe Minister Jim Murphy told the Guardian that the EU treaty was a "very different deal" and was "more different" for the UK than for any other member state. | Europe Minister Jim Murphy told the Guardian that the EU treaty was a "very different deal" and was "more different" for the UK than for any other member state. |
| "The reform treaty confirms that we will continue to control our foreign and defence policies. The constitution didn't spell this out," he said. | "The reform treaty confirms that we will continue to control our foreign and defence policies. The constitution didn't spell this out," he said. |
| 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. |