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| Lib Dems call for EU referendum | Lib Dems call for EU referendum |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| The Liberal Democrats are calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union. | The Liberal Democrats are calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union. |
| Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell earlier this week refused to back calls for a referendum on the EU treaty. | Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell earlier this week refused to back calls for a referendum on the EU treaty. |
| But he said the public deserved an "honest debate" on Europe - and "that means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU". | But he said the public deserved an "honest debate" on Europe - and "that means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU". |
| His call comes as the Lib Dems head for their annual conference, which gets under way on Sunday. | His call comes as the Lib Dems head for their annual conference, which gets under way on Sunday. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has repeatedly ruled out a referendum on the EU treaty, despite calls from the Conservatives, trade unionists and a growing number of his own MPs. | |
| Mr Brown argues a referendum is not needed as the treaty is very different to the failed EU constitution, on which a referendum had been promised in Labour's 2005 manifesto. | |
| 'Real choice' | |
| Sir Menzies says he agrees with the prime minister - but as an ardent pro-European he is "not prepared to allow David Cameron to lead the Europhobes and their allies in sections of the media, to distort the debate on Europe without challenge". | |
| The Lib Dem leader, who was expected to face calls to back a treaty vote from some of his own MPs at his party's conference, said voters should be given a "real choice". | |
| "If there is to be a referendum it shouldn't be restricted to a comparatively minor treaty. It must be a decision about the EU as a whole. | |
| "Let's have an honest debate on the European Union followed by a real choice for the British people. That means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. | |
| "We would ask the British people the big question - whether to remain in the European Union or not. | |
| "I will lead the Liberal Democrats at the forefront of that debate. "We will make the overwhelming case for Europe and trust the people to make the right choice." | |
| Politcal union | |
| Voters backed the UK's continued membership of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1975 by a large majority, in the country's first nationwide referendum. | |
| Since then, what was originally an economic agreement has been transformed into a political union through a series of treaties. | |
| Critics, including the UK Independence Party (UKIP), have long argued that the public should be given another say over Britain's continued membership. | |
| But Sir Menzies' intervention is the first time one of the main pro-European parties in Britain has added its voice to such calls. |