EU treaty referendum

Last night's Commons votes on whether to hold a referendum on the EU Lisbon treaty have highlighted divisions in all three main parties.

The government was forced to defeat an amendment by backbench rebels and three Liberal Democrat shadow Cabinet members have resigned, while the Conservatives' European divide is perhaps the most enduring of all and showed itself again in yesterday's debate.

At stake is whether or not the Lisbon treaty, agreed last year, requires approval from the British public.

All parties promised a referendum on the EU constitution in their election manifestos, but the proposed constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters.

It was replaced by the Lisbon treaty, a watered-down version without overt constitutional overtones, but there has been sustained debate about the extent of its similarity to the abandoned constitutional treaty.

The Conservatives have called for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty and the Lib Dems prefer an 'in-or-out' referendum on Britain's wider involvement in Europe.

Now the government's line that a referendum is not required has been backed by the Commons, the political goalposts on the issue have changed, however.

Parliament will ratify the Lisbon treaty - but the European Union (amendment) bill must first work its way through the Commons and Lords.

politics.co.uk brings you all the key quotes and reaction.