Brown challenged to free vote on EU treaty

Brown insists treaty does not need a referendum

Wednesday, 27, Feb 2008 12:00

Gordon Brown has once again rejected calls for a referendum on the EU treaty as campaigners descend on parliament.

The prime minister maintained the constitutional elements of the Lisbon treaty had been "abandoned", meaning it no longer had to be put to public vote.

All of the major political parties promised a referendum ahead of the 2005 election but the government maintains this applied to the now-defunct European constitution.

In parliament today, Mr Brown maintained: "This is an amending treaty and not a constitutional treaty".

Nevertheless, David Cameron said many Labour MPs felt a "conscientious belief that they signed up to a manifesto", and asked if it was right to ask them to vote against their consciences.

"If the prime minister is so confident of his position… he should give them a free vote," the Conservative leader said.

Mr Cameron's continued calls for a referendum came as the campaign group I Want A Referendum launched their own mass lobby of MPs.

The Conservatives have introduced their own amendment referendum to the legislation currently going before parliament, calling for a referendum.

Without Liberal Democrat support it is unlikely this will be accepted and the Conservatives have been unable to say what they will do if the treaty is ratified.

Mr Brown once again asked Mr Cameron today to confirm whether the Tories would continue to call for a public vote if MPs accept the Lisbon treaty.