Brown urged to seek EU mandate

Vaz joins calls for EU vote

Friday, 31, Aug 2007 12:00

Gordon Brown is facing more pressure from high-profile members of the Labour party to hold a referendum on the EU treaty, despite the foreign secretary insisting the party is not split on Europe.

Former Europe minister Keith Vaz has joined in calls for a referendum on the EU Treaty.

The MP for Leicester East agreed with the official government line that the treaty does not need to be ratified by a public vote. But he said it was time the British people were allowed to decide the UK's place in Europe "once and for all".

Mr Vaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We should not be afraid of actually putting this argument before the British people.

"We don't need a referendum on the reformed treaty because we didn't have one on the Nice Treaty or on Maastricht. But I think there's a difference between need and desirability.

"And I think once and for all we need to put this behind us by putting it to the British people.

"I am absolutely convinced that we will win any test of public opinion as to whether or not the British people want us in Europe, at the heart of Europe, which is what's happened over the last 10 years, or whether they want us to turn our back on Europe."

Mr Vaz said the referendum could be held on the same day as the general election, increasing speculation Mr Brown will go the polls within a year.

Yesterday, former Cabinet minister David Blunkett warned Mr Brown against ducking calls for a referendum, arguing the government had "some way to go" in convincing voters it is not necessary.

Those calling for a referendum claim the EU Treaty proposed in June is broadly the same as the abandoned EU constitution, which was due to be put to public vote.

Mr Blunkett said: "Given the manifesto commitment, it is critical for the government to demonstrate the difference between the original constitutional treaty and the current treaty - a difference that will have to be demonstrated as the treaty passes through parliament."

The former home secretary also revealed he had been "horrified" by the criticisms from trade unions, prompted by the "opt-outs" the UK has secured over workers' rights.

Union bosses from the GMB and RMT have joined the Conservatives and UK Independence Party in calling for a referendum. A growing number of Labour MPs, led by Ian Davidson, are also calling for the treaty to be amended or put to a public vote.

The foreign secretary insists the original constitution has been "abandoned".

However, he has now reluctant to explicitly rule out the possibility of holding a referendum on the revised EU Treaty, arguing instead that it should "first" be put before parliament.

Mr Miliband indicated to ePolitix.com that the government was prepared to convince people the EU treaty is not the same as the abandoned constitution.

He said: "I think you'll see a very strong case from the government, but also from business people, from environmental groups that this treaty does protect the things that are important for us, it actually makes Europe better run and increases the voting weight of Britain in the council of ministers which is obviously a good thing for Britain.

"I think it's also an opportunity for parliament to do the sort of careful scrutiny that the prime minister has talked about. That's a case I think you'll hear from many quarters very clearly."