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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Lib Dems call for EU referendum | Lib Dems call for EU referendum |
| (10 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. | 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. | 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' | 'Real choice' |
| Sir Menzies says he agrees with the prime minister - but as an ardent pro-European he is "not prepared to allow [Conservative leader] David Cameron to lead the Europhobes and their allies in sections of the media, to distort the debate on Europe without challenge". | Sir Menzies says he agrees with the prime minister - but as an ardent pro-European he is "not prepared to allow [Conservative leader] 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". | 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. | "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. | "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. | "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. | "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." | "We will make the overwhelming case for Europe and trust the people to make the right choice." |
| Political union | |
| In 1975, Voters backed the UK's continued membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), as it was then called, by a large majority, in the country's first nationwide referendum. | In 1975, Voters backed the UK's continued membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), as it was then called, 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. | 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. | 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. | But Sir Menzies' intervention is the first time one of the main pro-European parties in Britain has added its voice to such calls. |
| UKIP welcomes move | |
| UKIP leader Nigel Farage welcomed Sir Menzies' call for an "honest debate" on British membership of the EU. | |
| "I have believed for some time that the only referendum that Gordon Brown will ever consider would be one with the new Constitutional Treaty as continued part of our EU membership. | |
| "Brown believes that this is the only referendum on the EU that he can win. | |
| "The parliamentary arithmetic means that if the Lib Dems support such a move it would give the British people their first chance in over 30 years to determine their own futures. | |
| "I would be interested to hear which side in such a referendum Mr Cameron would support." |