Brown challenged to free vote on EU treaty

Gordon Brown is challenged to free vote on EU treaty

Monday, 22, Oct 2007 12:00

Gordon Brown has been challenged to allow his party to have an open vote on the EU treaty by the Conservatives.

Following his statement to parliament today, the prime minister was yet again called upon to call a referendum on the EU reform treaty, before being urged by opposition leader David Cameron to allow the Labour party to have a free vote on the election.

Mr Cameron said: "He says the issue will be settled by Parliament. So perhaps he can start his response by answering one question?

"When Parliament votes on whether to hold a referendum, will he allow his side a free vote?"

However, Mr Brown appeared unphased by the calls for a free vote, and continued to say the EU reform treaty was not a constitution, and reiterated his point that the Conservatives did not call a referendum over the Maastricht treaty, which had more institutional consequences than the current treaty.

In his statement to the house the prime minister said: "The protections we have negotiated defend the British national interest. We are putting in place new procedures to lock in our protection of these interests.

"We will oppose any further proposals for institutional change in the European Union this Parliament and the next.

"We will lead the debate in Europe to move to a new agenda of new priorities that focus on the economic and social needs of our citizens."

The Liberal Democrats, who have not backed the Conservatives' calls for a referendum on the treaty, responded to the statement today by calling on the government to consider a ballot on whether the UK should stay in the European Union.

Acting Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said: "Is now not the time for the prime minister to join with us in making the case once again for our position in Europe?

"The fact is that no-one under the age of fifty - including his own foreign secretary - has had a say. Will he join us in leading the charge and dispel the impression that he is afraid of the ballot box?"

Mr Cable added: "It is time for the prime minister to climb out of his bunker and join us in leading the argument for a yes vote in a referendum on our future in the EU."