No referendum on 'amending' EU treaty

Downing Street has indicated the forthcoming EU treaty will not be put to a referendum.

The prime minister's official spokesman (PMOS) said EU leaders will agree an "amending" not "constitutional" treaty, and this will not need a public vote.

The PMOS said: "We have said this should be a treaty without the characteristics of a constitutional treaty.

"No previous amending treaty has required a referendum."

Downing Street attempted to downplay suggestions EU leaders will agree a treaty which, although not referring to itself as a constitution, retains many of the elements of the previous EU constitution.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is eager to preserve much of the original constitution, which was abandoned after a 'no' vote in Dutch and French referenda.

However, the PMOS said Ms Merkel's comments should be seen as a wish-list and insisted the UK would not accept some of her recommendations, including new rights to strike and an EU-wide 'foreign minister'.

Downing Street said Mr Blair will remain firm on four parts preserving the UK parliament's sovereignty, paving the way for terse negotiations at his final EU summit.

The prime minister has pledged not to accept any agreement that requires the UK to change its labour or social legislation; that overrules the common law system, police or judicial processes; or that would force the UK to change the scope, cost or financial structure of its social security system.

He will also maintain the UK's ability to conduct an independent foreign and defence policy, including its UN Security Council seat.

Despite Downing Street insistence that the treaty will not have any of the characteristics of a constitution, the Conservatives have argued for it to be put to a vote.

Shadow Europe minister Mark Francois said: "The government was elected on a manifesto that pledged that the British people must have the final say.

"They must keep that pledge and let the British people decide for themselves in a referendum on any new treaty that transfers powers from Britain to the EU."

Mr Francois also voiced his objections to Ms Merkel's treaty proposals.

He said: "It is simply not acceptable that some EU leaders are still insisting that the substance of the rejected EU Constitution must be kept. French and Dutch voters quite clearly said they did not want it and it is quite clear the British people would have done the same had they been given the chance."