Brown and Blair gear up for EU summit

Blair commits to four principles

Tuesday, 19, Jun 2007 12:00

Gordon Brown has insisted the UK will "get what we need" from the EU summit, after Tony Blair set out his non-negotiable issues ahead of the summit.

The chancellor will not be attending the summit, which begins on Thursday, but will have to work with the resulting deal, including deciding whether to hold a referendum on the EU Treaty.

Tony Blair has insisted the UK will not accept a constitutional treaty and the amending treaty he is set to approve does not need to be put to a referendum.

But in an interview with GMTV, Mr Brown said he will hold a public vote on the treaty if necessary.

Mr Brown said: The question is 'Can we get the best deal for Britain?' and I suspect that the best deal for Britain will be won, where we will get what we want at this summit.

"Of course, it is a matter of negotiation and compromise and other things, but I think we will get what we need."

Addressing senior MPs yesterday, the prime minister promised to uphold certain aspects of the UK's sovereignty, which Number Ten claim will render a referendum unnecessary.

Mr Blair said he would not compromise on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the UK's independence on foreign policy, common law and tax and benefits.

Blair told the Commons liaison committee: "Europe needs to work more effectively. What it does not need is a constitutional treaty.

"We will not accept a treaty that allows the charter of fundamental rights to change UK law in any way.

"Second, we will not agree to something that displaces the role of British foreign policy and our foreign minister.

"Thirdly, we will not agree to give up our ability to control our common law and judicial and police system.

"And fourthly, we will not agree to anything that moves to qualified majority voting - something that can have a big say in our own tax and benefits system."

The Conservatives, however, claimed Mr Blair's commitments are "not so much red lines as red herrings", pointing out he said nothing on the issue of an EU president or the EU's right to sign treaties.

Shadow Europe minister Mark Francois said: "It is very late in the day for the government to make their position clear now, and because they have let others set the agenda our natural allies like the Dutch and Czechs are left trying to limit the damage.

"What really matters is simple - that the government should stick to its promise and give the British people the final say in a referendum if a new treaty hands over powers from Britain to the EU by bringing back parts of the rejected constitution. The government has absolutely no democratic mandate to do anything else."

France and Spain want all 27 member states to sign up to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and for the EU to adopt a single legal personality.

EU leaders are expected to debate the amended treaty fiercely as they attempt to retain different aspects of the abandoned EU constitution.

To build consensus ahead of June 21, Mr Brown and Mr Blair will hold talks with President Sarkozy via video link.