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Brown defends EU treaty position Brown defends EU treaty position
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has defended his stance on the EU Reform Treaty, saying key opt-outs will mean British law will not be overruled by Europe. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended his stance on the EU Reform Treaty, saying key opt-outs mean UK law will not be over-ruled by Europe.
Mr Brown told the Commons that MPs would be given a chance to debate ratification of the treaty which was negotiated in Portugal last week. Mr Brown told the Commons MPs would be given the chance next year to debate ratification of the treaty whose text was agreed in Portugal last week.
He also said the government would oppose further EU institutional change.He also said the government would oppose further EU institutional change.
The Tories called for a referendum on the issue and accused ministers of breaking a manifesto commitment. The Tories called for a referendum on the issue and accused ministers of breaking their manifesto commitment.
The protections we have negotiated defend the British national interest Gordon Brown He [Gordon Brown] has absolutely no democratic mandate to sign this without a referendum David CameronConservative leader
The prime minister told MPs that he had secured "special treatment for the UK in a range of areas" at the European summit and that Britain would keep opt-outs on foreign policy, labour rights, tax and social security.The prime minister told MPs that he had secured "special treatment for the UK in a range of areas" at the European summit and that Britain would keep opt-outs on foreign policy, labour rights, tax and social security.
"The protections we have negotiated defend the British national interest," he said."The protections we have negotiated defend the British national interest," he said.
Promising to oppose any further EU institutional reforms within this parliament and the next, Mr Brown said he would now focus on setting out a new agenda for the EU.Promising to oppose any further EU institutional reforms within this parliament and the next, Mr Brown said he would now focus on setting out a new agenda for the EU.
This would include "the new priorities" of jobs, competitiveness, prosperity, climate change and security "so that Europe can play a far stronger part in the competitive economy of the world and be a leader and success story in the new global order," he said. This would include "the new priorities" of jobs, competitiveness, prosperity, climate change and security "so that Europe can play a far stronger part in the competitive economy of the world and be a leader and success story in the new global order".
'Election commitment''Election commitment'
But Tory leader David Cameron said the British public would not trust the government if they were not given a vote on the issue.But Tory leader David Cameron said the British public would not trust the government if they were not given a vote on the issue.
The Conservatives say the treaty is almost the same as the rejected constitution on which Tony Blair promised a referendum.The Conservatives say the treaty is almost the same as the rejected constitution on which Tony Blair promised a referendum.
He [Gordon Brown] has absolutely no democratic mandate to sign this without a referendum David Cameron They claim as many as 120 Labour MPs are in favour of a referendum - easily enough to overturn the government's 69 majority.
They claim as many as 120 Labour MPs are in favour of one - easily enough to overturn the government's 69 majority. We do believe that there should be a referendum, the public should decide on the issue of whether Britain should remain a committed member of the European Union Vince CableActing Lib Dem leader
Mr Cameron told the Commons: "He [Mr Brown] promised to honour his manifesto but he is breaking one of the most important manifesto commitments of all." Mr Cameron told the Commons Mr Brown was "breaking one of the most important manifesto commitments of all".
He added: "He has absolutely no democratic mandate to sign this without a referendum. If he breaks his trust with the British people they will rightly say how can we ever trust him on anything else again."He added: "He has absolutely no democratic mandate to sign this without a referendum. If he breaks his trust with the British people they will rightly say how can we ever trust him on anything else again."
The government denies the treaty is the same as the rejected constitution and ministers are planning a line-by-line debate on the treaty by MPs instead. The government denies the treaty is the same as the old constitution so says there is no need for a referendum - ministers are instead planning a line-by-line debate on the treaty by MPs instead.
The Liberal Democrats also promised a referendum on the old constitution. They are not calling for a referendum on the treaty, instead calling for a referendum on the wider question of UK membership of the EU.
Irish referendum
Their acting leader, Vince Cable, said: "We believe this treaty is necessary, it is in the British national interests that the European Union should work efficiently and effectively, but there does remain the issue of legitimacy.
"We do believe that there should be a referendum, the public should decide on the issue of whether Britain should remain a committed member of the European Union."
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.
Mr 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 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.