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Commons EU Treaty battle begins Commons EU Treaty battle begins
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has opened a rowdy debate on the EU's Lisbon reform treaty, saying it is "good for Britain and good for Europe". The controversial EU reform treaty has cleared its first Commons hurdle.
Starting what is expected to be 20 days of debate over the next month, he said it did not require a referendum. Starting what is expected to be 20 days of debate, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the treaty was "good for Britain and good for Europe".
But he was attacked by some Labour backbenchers, and the Tories said the government was "brazenly abrogating" its referendum promise. He came under fire from some Labour backbenchers, and the Tories said the government was "brazenly abrogating" its promise to hold a referendum.
At the end of a riowdy five-hour debate a motion for discussions to continue was passed by 362 votes to 224.
The PM signed the Lisbon Treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.The PM signed the Lisbon Treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.
The treaty is meant to replace the EU Constitution, which was abandoned after being rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005, but on which Labour had promised a referendum. It was designed to replace the EU Constitution, which was abandoned in 2005, but on which Labour had promised a referendum.
We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe David MilibandForeign secretary Q&A: Lisbon TreatyAnalysis: Political battles In quotes: EU treaty debateWe believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe David MilibandForeign secretary Q&A: Lisbon TreatyAnalysis: Political battles In quotes: EU treaty debate
Eighteen Labour and four nationalist MPs have signed an amendment calling for a referendum on the document - the government says it is not needed as the treaty is not the same as the constitution. Eighteen Labour and four nationalist MPs have signed an amendment calling for a referendum on the document - the government says this is not needed as the treaty is not the same as the constitution.
But the Commons speaker has decided against calling that amendment. The Commons speaker has decided against calling that amendment.
A vote on the whole European Union (Amendment) Bill - which ratifies the Lisbon Treaty - is due at about 2200 GMT. Monday's vote was to allow the European Union (Amendment) Bill - which ratifies the treaty - to continue its passage through Parliament.
Opening the debate, Mr Miliband said the Lisbon Treaty was "a fundamentally different treaty" to the failed constitution. The government won the vote by 362 votes to 224 - a majority of 138.
Opening the debate earlier, Mr Miliband said the Lisbon Treaty was "fundamentally different" from the failed constitution.
Super state 'myth'Super state 'myth'
"The government is convinced that Britain's membership of and full engagement with the EU is good for Britain and good for Europe," he said. "The government is convinced that Britain's membership of and full engagement with the EU is good for Britain and good for Europe," he told MPs.
"We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe.""We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe."
He warned against the Conservative "myth" of a European super state and said the party's policies would lead to "a second decade of institutional inertia that diverts Europe from the real issues that face it".He warned against the Conservative "myth" of a European super state and said the party's policies would lead to "a second decade of institutional inertia that diverts Europe from the real issues that face it".
An EU of 27 member states and growing can't operate on the same basis that only just served the needs of an EU of 15 states Edward Davey Lib Dems What are the arguments?An EU of 27 member states and growing can't operate on the same basis that only just served the needs of an EU of 15 states Edward Davey Lib Dems What are the arguments?
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said of Gordon Brown - who is on a visit to India and was not at the debate: "Having signed the treaty but not having the courage to turn up for the ceremony, he wants to force this through Parliament but lacks the courage to vote for it himself." But shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the treaty "brings about fundamental change" in the EU's institutional structure, changes which the government "now pretend are matters of little importance about which the people of this country need not be troubled."
He said the treaty "brings about fundamental change" in the EU's institutional structure, changes which the government "now pretend are matters of little importance about which the people of this country need not be troubled." Labour MPs Frank Field, Gwyneth Dunwoody and Gisela Stuart were among those who stood up to question whether the treaty was fundamentally different from the constitution.
Labour MPs Frank Field, Gwyneth Dunwoody and Gisela Stuart were among those who stood up to question whether the treaty was fundamentally different to the constitution.
'Goebbels' rant''Goebbels' rant'
But for the Liberal Democrats Edward Davey said: "An EU of 27 member states and growing can't operate on the same basis that only just served the needs of an EU of 15 states.But for the Liberal Democrats Edward Davey said: "An EU of 27 member states and growing can't operate on the same basis that only just served the needs of an EU of 15 states.
"Arguments for trimming the bureaucracy and making the institutions less cumbersome ought to be self-evident.""Arguments for trimming the bureaucracy and making the institutions less cumbersome ought to be self-evident."
During the lively debate, Tory MP Andrew Robathan was told to retract comments that the foreign secretary's speech was "a rant of propaganda that would be worthy of Goebbels" - Mr Miliband said the comments were "not worthy" of him.
Mr Brown signed the treaty hours after the official ceremony in DecemberMr Brown signed the treaty hours after the official ceremony in December
The Tories will vote against the bill, but the Lib Dems, who support a referendum on the wider issue of Britain's EU membership, will vote in favour of this bill - meaning there is little chance of a defeat. During the lively debate, Tory MP Andrew Robathan was told to retract comments that the foreign secretary's speech was "a rant of propaganda that would be worthy of Goebbels" - Mr Miliband said the comments were "not worthy" of him.
The Tories and some Labour MPs are opposing the bill, but the Lib Dems, who support a referendum on the wider issue of Britain's EU membership, will vote in favour of it.
Ministers argue that no referendum is needed as the treaty merely amends the EU's existing constitution, rather than overwriting it - as the failed constitution would have done.Ministers argue that no referendum is needed as the treaty merely amends the EU's existing constitution, rather than overwriting it - as the failed constitution would have done.
Europe Minister Jim Murphy has dismissed claims that up to 100 Labour MPs are unhappy with the refusal to hold a public vote.Europe Minister Jim Murphy has dismissed claims that up to 100 Labour MPs are unhappy with the refusal to hold a public vote.
The prime minister signed the treaty in December, but it has to be ratified by all EU parliaments before coming into force. On Sunday the Commons foreign affairs committee said parts of the Lisbon Treaty were no different from the abandoned EU Constitution, and accused the government of publicly downplaying the importance of some new EU institutions and roles.
On Sunday the Commons foreign affairs committee said parts of the Lisbon Treaty were no different to the abandoned EU Constitution, and accused the government of publicly downplaying the importance of some new EU institutions and roles.