This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33067157

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EU referendum: Entire generation denied say on Europe - Hammond EU referendum: MPs support plan for say on Europe
(about 4 hours later)
An "entire generation" has been denied a say on the UK's place in Europe, Philip Hammond has said as he outlined plans for a referendum by 2017. MPs have overwhelmingly backed plans for a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.
The foreign secretary said the EU had a "wafer-thin democratic mandate" in the UK and the people must have "the final say" on its future direction. The vote, which followed the first debate on the EU Referendum Bill, means the legislation moves to the next stage of its progress through Parliament.
MPs are currently debating legislation authorising the referendum and setting out who is entitled to take part. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a "generation" had been denied a say on the UK's place in Europe, and the public must now have the "final say".
Labour is backing the bill but the SNP said it was a "sop" to Tory MPs. MPs voted by 544 to 53 in favour of the bill.
The EU referendum bill, which would authorise an in-out referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, is being debated for the first time in the House of Commons. The Conservatives and Labour support the bill, but the SNP opposes it.
With the bill set to pass comfortably at second reading, the debate is serving as a dress rehearsal for arguments over the UK's future in Europe that are likely to dominate the political agenda over the next couple of years. Earlier, MPs voted to reject an SNP amendment opposing the bill.
David Cameron, who first promised a referendum in 2013, has pledged to negotiate a "better deal" for the UK in Europe in advance of the vote - to be held by the end of 2017 at the latest. The bill, which has now passed its second reading and will next be examined by a committee of MPs, has several more stages to pass through.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who first promised a referendum in 2013, has pledged to negotiate a "better deal" for the UK in Europe in advance of the vote - to be held by the end of 2017 at the latest.
'Ever-closer union''Ever-closer union'
Mr Hammond said a vote - which would be the first on the UK's links with Europe since 1975 - was needed to renew the democratic legitimacy of the UK's relationship with the 28-member body.Mr Hammond said a vote - which would be the first on the UK's links with Europe since 1975 - was needed to renew the democratic legitimacy of the UK's relationship with the 28-member body.
"We've had referendums on Scottish devolution, referendums on Welsh devolution, referendums on our electoral system and on a regional assembly for the North East," he said."We've had referendums on Scottish devolution, referendums on Welsh devolution, referendums on our electoral system and on a regional assembly for the North East," he said.
"But an entire generation of British voters has been denied the chance to have a say on our relationship with the European Union. And Mr Speaker, today we are putting that right."
EU referendum in focusEU referendum in focus
David Cameron is starting renegotiation of the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:David Cameron is starting renegotiation of the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:
Q&A: The UK's planned EU referendumQ&A: The UK's planned EU referendum
UK and the EU: Better off out or in?UK and the EU: Better off out or in?
What Britain wants from EuropeWhat Britain wants from Europe
Timeline: EU referendum debateTimeline: EU referendum debate
"But an entire generation of British voters has been denied the chance to have a say on our relationship with the European Union. And Mr Speaker, today we are putting that right." Mr Hammond added: "We need a fundamental change in the way the European Union operates. It is now a union which has at its core a eurozone of 19 members which will integrate more closely together.
He added: "We need a fundamental change in the way the European Union operates. It is now a union which has at its core a eurozone of 19 members which will integrate more closely together.
"There needs to be an explicit recognition those who are not part of that core do not need to pursue ever closer union. There need to be an explicit protection of the interests of those non-eurozone members as the EU goes forward."There needs to be an explicit recognition those who are not part of that core do not need to pursue ever closer union. There need to be an explicit protection of the interests of those non-eurozone members as the EU goes forward.
"We expect to be able to negotiate a new deal which will address the concerns of the British people which we will then put to them in the promised referendum.""We expect to be able to negotiate a new deal which will address the concerns of the British people which we will then put to them in the promised referendum."
Labour opposed a referendum during the general election campaign but has since changed its mind, saying it will not oppose the bill, although it will seek to make a number of changes, including to the franchise.Labour opposed a referendum during the general election campaign but has since changed its mind, saying it will not oppose the bill, although it will seek to make a number of changes, including to the franchise.
'Hokey-cokey''Hokey-cokey'
Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn said the Labour leadership would campaign strongly in favour of the UK remaining a part of the EU, contrasting this clear position with what he said were the mixed signals from the government.Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn said the Labour leadership would campaign strongly in favour of the UK remaining a part of the EU, contrasting this clear position with what he said were the mixed signals from the government.
"The prime minister is probably for in, but he can't say definitely he's in or out because a lot of his MPs are for out unless they can be persuaded to be in," he said."The prime minister is probably for in, but he can't say definitely he's in or out because a lot of his MPs are for out unless they can be persuaded to be in," he said.
"Meanwhile, the foreign secretary who used to be leaning out now appears to be leaning in, while other members of the Cabinet who are for out read yesterday that they would be out unless they campaigned for in."Meanwhile, the foreign secretary who used to be leaning out now appears to be leaning in, while other members of the Cabinet who are for out read yesterday that they would be out unless they campaigned for in.
"Now it seems they might be in even though after all they are probably for out. In, out, in, out, it's the EU Tory Hokey Cokey - a complete mess.""Now it seems they might be in even though after all they are probably for out. In, out, in, out, it's the EU Tory Hokey Cokey - a complete mess."
Former SNP leader Alex Salmond, who has tabled an amendment opposing the bill, said "no-one believed" David Cameron wanted to take the UK out of the EU and suggested the bill was primarily designed to appease Tory backbenchers. Former SNP leader Alex Salmond, who tabled the SNP amendment opposing the bill, said "no-one believed" David Cameron wanted to take the UK out of the EU and suggested the bill was primarily designed to appease Tory backbenchers.
"This bill is based on a nonsense and a contradiction. Major constitutional referendums should be held on a proposition, honestly held."This bill is based on a nonsense and a contradiction. Major constitutional referendums should be held on a proposition, honestly held.
"The prime minister proposes to hold this referendum as a political tactic... and that is why there is so much suspicion already, not just among opponents of Europe but among those who are proponents of Europe.""The prime minister proposes to hold this referendum as a political tactic... and that is why there is so much suspicion already, not just among opponents of Europe but among those who are proponents of Europe."
'Fanciful''Fanciful'
Former Chancellor Ken Clarke, one of the most pro-European voices in the Conservative Party, warned that the UK would be marginalised if it left the EU, potentially facing tariffs on imports and exports.Former Chancellor Ken Clarke, one of the most pro-European voices in the Conservative Party, warned that the UK would be marginalised if it left the EU, potentially facing tariffs on imports and exports.
"This is about Britain's role in the modern world, the 21st century world of inter-dependent nations and how we maximise our influence by using our power base in Europe. The alternative is a fanciful, escapist route into isolated nationalism which I think will greatly diminish our influence in the world and damage our economy.""This is about Britain's role in the modern world, the 21st century world of inter-dependent nations and how we maximise our influence by using our power base in Europe. The alternative is a fanciful, escapist route into isolated nationalism which I think will greatly diminish our influence in the world and damage our economy."
But he was challenged by former environment secretary Owen Paterson, who said he was misrepresenting the views of eurosceptics.But he was challenged by former environment secretary Owen Paterson, who said he was misrepresenting the views of eurosceptics.
"He really must not muddle the idea of the European Union, which is a political and judicial institution and the European market, which I am a most enthusiastic proponent of.""He really must not muddle the idea of the European Union, which is a political and judicial institution and the European market, which I am a most enthusiastic proponent of."
And veteran Conservative Sir Bill Cash said the referendum was a fundamental question of "who governs Britain".And veteran Conservative Sir Bill Cash said the referendum was a fundamental question of "who governs Britain".
"We have a positive alternative to the EU," he said. Our democracy and our national Parliament is what people fought and died for in two world wars and it was through this sacrifice that we saved Europe.""We have a positive alternative to the EU," he said. Our democracy and our national Parliament is what people fought and died for in two world wars and it was through this sacrifice that we saved Europe."