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/7198580.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Commons battle due on EU treaty Commons battle over EU under way
(about 1 hour later)
The House of Commons is to begin what is expected to be up to 20 days' debate on whether to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. 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".
Starting what is expected to be 20 days of debate over the next month, he said it did not require a referendum.
But he was immediately attacked by Tory MPs and Labour backbenchers. Tory John Redwood said powers were being given away "needlessly and recklessly".
The PM signed the Lisbon treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.
Eighteen Labour and four nationalist MPs have signed an amendment calling for a referendum on the document - which the government has ruled out.Eighteen Labour and four nationalist MPs have signed an amendment calling for a referendum on the document - which the government has ruled out.
The Commons speaker has decided against calling that amendment. A vote on the whole bill is due at about 2200 GMT. But the Commons speaker has decided against calling that amendment. A vote on the whole bill is due at about 2200 GMT.
The Tories will vote against, but the Lib Dems will vote in favour - meaning there is little chance of a defeat.The Tories will vote against, but the Lib Dems will vote in favour - meaning there is little chance of a defeat.
The debate, due to start between 1700 GMT and 1730 GMT, comes after a Commons foreign affairs committee report said that parts of the treaty mirror the abandoned EU Constitution.
'Battle''Battle'
The government had promised a referendum on the constitution - which was thrown out by Dutch and French voters in 2005 - but argues that this is not necessary for the treaty, as it is different in character.The government had promised a referendum on the constitution - which was thrown out by Dutch and French voters in 2005 - but argues that this is not necessary for the treaty, as it is different in character.
Rebel Labour MP Ian Davidson called the Commons vote on the amendment "the start of the battle, rather than the end of the war".Rebel Labour MP Ian Davidson called the Commons vote on the amendment "the start of the battle, rather than the end of the war".
The reform treaty is there for parliament to scrutinise and then to pass David MilibandForeign secretary Q&A: Lisbon TreatyAnalysis: Political battles The reform treaty is there for parliament to scrutinise and then to pass David MilibandForeign secretary Q&A: Lisbon TreatyAnalysis: Political battles
He added: "We hope to get our message out to people in the country who will in turn tell their MPs that they do want a referendum so that by the time we come to the next vote in the committee stage, the pressure will very much have built up."He added: "We hope to get our message out to people in the country who will in turn tell their MPs that they do want a referendum so that by the time we come to the next vote in the committee stage, the pressure will very much have built up."
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.
'MPs must decide''MPs must decide'
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "The reform treaty is there for parliament to scrutinise and then to pass.
"Obviously people will put down an amendment and Parliament will have to decide. But I don't believe that this treaty meets the bar of fundamental constitutional reform that should be the basis of having a referendum."
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the EU Reform Treaty - now widely known as the Lisbon Treaty - was widely seen as being "90% or 95% the same" as the failed EU constitution, on which all parties had promised a vote.But shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the EU Reform Treaty - now widely known as the Lisbon Treaty - was widely seen as being "90% or 95% the same" as the failed EU constitution, on which all parties had promised a vote.
There is no material difference between the provisions on foreign affairs in the Constitutional Treaty...and those in the Lisbon Treaty Foreign affairs committee What are the arguments?There is no material difference between the provisions on foreign affairs in the Constitutional Treaty...and those in the Lisbon Treaty Foreign affairs committee What are the arguments?
"I see it as a very straightforward issue of trust in politics. And one of the ways of restoring trust in politics is to hold that referendum," said Mr Hague."I see it as a very straightforward issue of trust in politics. And one of the ways of restoring trust in politics is to hold that referendum," said Mr Hague.
The Lib Dems will abstain in the Commons vote on the referendum motion, as they argue the debate should be about Britain's membership of the EU instead. The Lib Dems do not want a referendum on the treaty - they argue the debate should be about Britain's membership of the EU instead.
Party leader Nick Clegg said: "The argument over a referendum on the treaty is being used as a smokescreen to hide the real issue of whether we want to be part of the EU or not. Party leader Nick Clegg said: "The government has become terrified of making the case for Europe, whilst the Tories are using the debate over a treaty as an excuse to retreat into old-school euroscepticism."
"The government has become terrified of making the case for Europe, whilst the Tories are using the debate over a treaty as an excuse to retreat into old-school euroscepticism." Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed the treaty, as did other EU leaders, in December. But it has to be ratified by all EU parliaments before coming into force.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed the treaty, as did other EU heads of state, in December. But it has to be ratified by all EU parliaments before coming into force.
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised the way the government has represented the foreign policy aspects of the treaty.The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised the way the government has represented the foreign policy aspects of the treaty.
Its report, entitled Foreign Policy Aspects Of The Treaty Of Lisbon, claims there are only two small differences in the area of foreign policy between the treaty and the abandoned constitution.Its report, entitled Foreign Policy Aspects Of The Treaty Of Lisbon, claims there are only two small differences in the area of foreign policy between the treaty and the abandoned constitution.
These were the addition of two non legally binding declarations proposed by the UK and the change of the title Minister for Foreign Affairs to High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.These were the addition of two non legally binding declarations proposed by the UK and the change of the title Minister for Foreign Affairs to High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
"We conclude that there is no material difference between the provisions on foreign affairs in the Constitutional Treaty which the government made subject to approval in a referendum and those in the Lisbon Treaty on which a referendum is being denied," the report said."We conclude that there is no material difference between the provisions on foreign affairs in the Constitutional Treaty which the government made subject to approval in a referendum and those in the Lisbon Treaty on which a referendum is being denied," the report said.
'Innovations''Innovations'
It also accused the government of seeking to downplay the significance of new institutions, such as the creation of a new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security.It also accused the government of seeking to downplay the significance of new institutions, such as the creation of a new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security.
This was "unlikely to be beneficial to the UK's position in Europe", it said, and called on ministers to acknowledge their true significance in public.This was "unlikely to be beneficial to the UK's position in Europe", it said, and called on ministers to acknowledge their true significance in public.
The report welcomed the creation of such new roles, which it said were "major innovations in the EU's foreign policy-making machinery" which could give the EU a "more coherent development and implementation of external policy".The report welcomed the creation of such new roles, which it said were "major innovations in the EU's foreign policy-making machinery" which could give the EU a "more coherent development and implementation of external policy".
But Mike Gapes, the committee's chairman, said MPs felt Parliament needed to have more say in the treaty's development.But Mike Gapes, the committee's chairman, said MPs felt Parliament needed to have more say in the treaty's development.
"Parliament has not been sufficiently involved in the negotiation and the drafting of these proposals last year," he told the BBC."Parliament has not been sufficiently involved in the negotiation and the drafting of these proposals last year," he told the BBC.
"We believe that over the next few weeks [in] the Parliamentary debate we have, we need to press for greater Parliamentary accountability over the implementation and the carrying out of this treaty in practice in the coming years, if it is adopted.""We believe that over the next few weeks [in] the Parliamentary debate we have, we need to press for greater Parliamentary accountability over the implementation and the carrying out of this treaty in practice in the coming years, if it is adopted."
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said there was now "no reason for the government to duck out of their pledge" to hold a referendum.UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said there was now "no reason for the government to duck out of their pledge" to hold a referendum.