This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7055764.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Brown to defend EU treaty stance Brown to defend EU treaty stance
(about 7 hours later)
Gordon Brown is set to report back to MPs on the Lisbon summit over the EU Reform Treaty - setting the scene for months of Parliamentary battles.Gordon Brown is set to report back to MPs on the Lisbon summit over the EU Reform Treaty - setting the scene for months of Parliamentary battles.
After an oral statement to the Commons, he will face calls from the Tories for a referendum on the document. After his statement to the Commons from 1530 BST, he will face calls from the Tories for a referendum on the treaty.
They say it is almost identical to the rejected constitution on which Tony Blair promised a referendum.They say it is almost identical to the rejected constitution on which Tony Blair promised a referendum.
Mr Brown denies this and ministers are planning a line-by-line debate on the treaty by MPs next year instead.Mr Brown denies this and ministers are planning a line-by-line debate on the treaty by MPs next year instead.
'Election commitment''Election commitment'
The treaty is due to be formally signed in December.The treaty is due to be formally signed in December.
On Sunday, shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC the Conservatives were "unlikely" to defeat the government over a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.On Sunday, shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC the Conservatives were "unlikely" to defeat the government over a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.
The Conservatives claim as many as 120 Labour MPs are in favour of one - easily enough to overturn the government's 69 majority.The Conservatives claim as many as 120 Labour MPs are in favour of one - easily enough to overturn the government's 69 majority.
But the Tories concede the number of Labour rebels could fall significantly with pressure from government whips.But the Tories concede the number of Labour rebels could fall significantly with pressure from government whips.
Mr Hague told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If the Liberal Democrat MPs also break their solemn election commitment, as well as Labour MPs, then of course that makes it difficult for us to win a vote in the House of Commons.Mr Hague told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If the Liberal Democrat MPs also break their solemn election commitment, as well as Labour MPs, then of course that makes it difficult for us to win a vote in the House of Commons.
If William Hague got his way and this treaty were renegotiated, Britain would be left isolated with no allies in the EU Europe Minister Jim MurphyIf William Hague got his way and this treaty were renegotiated, Britain would be left isolated with no allies in the EU Europe Minister Jim Murphy
"Although those in marginal seats will have to remember that their breach of that promise is something we will remind their constituents about in some detail at the next general election."Although those in marginal seats will have to remember that their breach of that promise is something we will remind their constituents about in some detail at the next general election.
"There are going to be real parliamentary battles about this treaty, which is the European constitution in disguise... Nearly everything that was in the constitution is back in it.""There are going to be real parliamentary battles about this treaty, which is the European constitution in disguise... Nearly everything that was in the constitution is back in it."
If the Conservatives lose the fight for a plebiscite on the treaty, they would then have to decide whether to fight the next general election on a promise of a referendum to rescind it, said Mr Hague.If the Conservatives lose the fight for a plebiscite on the treaty, they would then have to decide whether to fight the next general election on a promise of a referendum to rescind it, said Mr Hague.
Speaking on GMTV's Sunday programme, shadow Europe minister Mark Francois said Lib Dem MPs were "key" to Tory hopes of defeating the government in the Commons.Speaking on GMTV's Sunday programme, shadow Europe minister Mark Francois said Lib Dem MPs were "key" to Tory hopes of defeating the government in the Commons.
But any prospect of a Lib Dem/Tory alliance appears to have been ruled out by the two contenders for the Lib Dem leadership, Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne.But any prospect of a Lib Dem/Tory alliance appears to have been ruled out by the two contenders for the Lib Dem leadership, Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne.
They both told the BBC's Andrew Marr they would not back a referendum.They both told the BBC's Andrew Marr they would not back a referendum.
Europe Minister Jim Murphy told the Sunday Telegraph he was "confident" the government would achieve its goal of ratifying the treaty without holding a public vote, predicting pro-European Tories would back the government.Europe Minister Jim Murphy told the Sunday Telegraph he was "confident" the government would achieve its goal of ratifying the treaty without holding a public vote, predicting pro-European Tories would back the government.
'Fullest scrutiny''Fullest scrutiny'
The reform treaty was agreed in the early hours of Friday at an EU summit in Lisbon, but all 27 EU member states must ratify it by 2009 for it to come into effect.The reform treaty was agreed in the early hours of Friday at an EU summit in Lisbon, but all 27 EU member states must ratify it by 2009 for it to come into effect.
So far, only the Irish Republic has said it will hold a referendum, with other countries, including the UK, planning to ratify the treaty through their national parliaments.So far, only the Irish Republic has said it will hold a referendum, with other countries, including the UK, planning to ratify the treaty through their national parliaments.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised it will be given the fullest scrutiny by MPs before being put to a vote - a process that could take up to three months.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised it will be given the fullest scrutiny by MPs before being put to a vote - a process that could take up to three months.
Mr Murphy hit back at suggestions the Conservatives could rescind the treaty after a public vote.Mr Murphy hit back at suggestions the Conservatives could rescind the treaty after a public vote.
"If William Hague got his way and this treaty were renegotiated, Britain would be left isolated with no allies in the EU. The EU would waste 10 years on instability and uncertainty," he added."If William Hague got his way and this treaty were renegotiated, Britain would be left isolated with no allies in the EU. The EU would waste 10 years on instability and uncertainty," he added.