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Brown to defend EU treaty to MPs Brown to defend EU treaty to MPs
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown will update MPs at 1530 on the EU summit he attended on Friday, in what is expected to be his last Commons appearance before Christmas. Gordon Brown is updating MPs on the EU summit he attended on Friday, in what is expected to be his last Commons appearance before Christmas.
The prime minister is likely to say the new EU Reform Treaty will mean the end of institutional reform for now.The prime minister is likely to say the new EU Reform Treaty will mean the end of institutional reform for now.
But the Tories and some Labour MPs say the treaty requires a referendum.But the Tories and some Labour MPs say the treaty requires a referendum.
And Mr Brown's late appearance at the signing ceremony, criticised as rude and peevish by opposition parties, is likely to be questioned by MPs.And Mr Brown's late appearance at the signing ceremony, criticised as rude and peevish by opposition parties, is likely to be questioned by MPs.
On Thursday the prime minister missed the official ceremony, attended by 26 other EU heads of state, blaming a diary clash with his twice-yearly grilling by senior MPs on the Commons liaison committee.On Thursday the prime minister missed the official ceremony, attended by 26 other EU heads of state, blaming a diary clash with his twice-yearly grilling by senior MPs on the Commons liaison committee.
'Fuss over nothing''Fuss over nothing'
The foreign secretary attended in his place, and Mr Brown signed the treaty three hours later.The foreign secretary attended in his place, and Mr Brown signed the treaty three hours later.
But the Tories said, if he believed the treaty was the right thing for Britain, he should "have the guts" to go to the ceremony.But the Tories said, if he believed the treaty was the right thing for Britain, he should "have the guts" to go to the ceremony.
KEY LISBON TREATY REFORMS Creates new European Council presidentNew foreign policy supremo to increase EU profileCommissioners reduced from 27 to 18 Removes national vetoes in around 50 policy areasVoting weights between member states redistributedNo reference to EU symbols such as the flag and anthemTreaty faces referendum in Ireland and must be ratified by all other EU parliaments Q&A: Lisbon TreatyNo 10 dismisses EU 'fuss'KEY LISBON TREATY REFORMS Creates new European Council presidentNew foreign policy supremo to increase EU profileCommissioners reduced from 27 to 18 Removes national vetoes in around 50 policy areasVoting weights between member states redistributedNo reference to EU symbols such as the flag and anthemTreaty faces referendum in Ireland and must be ratified by all other EU parliaments Q&A: Lisbon TreatyNo 10 dismisses EU 'fuss'
Lib Dem leadership contender Chris Huhne said it left Britain's reputation for "honest dealing with our EU partners hanging by a thread".Lib Dem leadership contender Chris Huhne said it left Britain's reputation for "honest dealing with our EU partners hanging by a thread".
But Downing Street has dismissed the criticism as a "fuss over nothing" as Mr Brown had eventually signed the treaty in public.But Downing Street has dismissed the criticism as a "fuss over nothing" as Mr Brown had eventually signed the treaty in public.
The treaty has proved politically controversial, as it was drawn up to replace the EU Constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters at referendums in 2005.The treaty has proved politically controversial, as it was drawn up to replace the EU Constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters at referendums in 2005.
Tory and some Labour MPs argue that, as the Labour government had promised a referendum on the constitution, it should do the same for the treaty which they say is substantially the same.Tory and some Labour MPs argue that, as the Labour government had promised a referendum on the constitution, it should do the same for the treaty which they say is substantially the same.
But the government says it is very different, and does not require a referendum. It says changes are either minor and procedural, and Britain has negotiated "opt outs" for other changes, where necessary.But the government says it is very different, and does not require a referendum. It says changes are either minor and procedural, and Britain has negotiated "opt outs" for other changes, where necessary.
The treaty creates a permanent EU president, a legal personality for the union and a high representative for foreign affairs, and reduces the number of commissioners to streamline procedures in an enlarged EU of 27 states.The treaty creates a permanent EU president, a legal personality for the union and a high representative for foreign affairs, and reduces the number of commissioners to streamline procedures in an enlarged EU of 27 states.
Elements of statehood such as a flag and an official anthem are not in the binding part of the treaty.Elements of statehood such as a flag and an official anthem are not in the binding part of the treaty.
But 16 member states have added their own non-binding declaration that the blue EU flag, the anthem based on the "Ode to Joy" from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, the motto "United in diversity" and Europe Day on 9 May will "express the sense of community" of EU residents.But 16 member states have added their own non-binding declaration that the blue EU flag, the anthem based on the "Ode to Joy" from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, the motto "United in diversity" and Europe Day on 9 May will "express the sense of community" of EU residents.
The treaty still has to be ratified by the UK and all other member countries before coming into force in 2009. Mr Brown has promised the "fullest possible Parliamentary debate" on the treaty next year.The treaty still has to be ratified by the UK and all other member countries before coming into force in 2009. Mr Brown has promised the "fullest possible Parliamentary debate" on the treaty next year.