Brown firm on EU referendum

Brown claims vote is not necessary

Monday, 03, Sep 2007 12:00

The prime minister has insisted the EU Treaty does not need to be put to a public vote.

Nevertheless, amid mounting political pressure, Gordon Brown admitted an "if" hung over the question of a referendum.

The government insists a referendum is not constitutionally required due to the "red lines" secured by Tony Blair at the EU summit in June.

This means the treaty is not a constitution and therefore does not need to be put to a public vote, ministers argue.

However, the Conservatives insist the treaty is "90 per cent the same" as the original EU constitution, which was promised a plebiscite in Labour's manifesto.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Brown said the first paragraph of the Brussels Declaration made it clear the constitutional concept has been abandoned.

He said the treaty was "a completely different proposal as far as Britain is concerned".

This meant there would be "no fundamental shift" in British policy if the treaty is ratified.

Britain has secured an opt-in on justice and home affairs, meaning it does not have to be bound by any agreements in these areas. Mr Brown also said foreign policy would be intergovernmental, not run by the union.

He continued: "Take national security – it has been exempted from international and community confidence. Take social security - we have an emergency brake.

Despite the government's constitutional arguments, the Conservatives warned yesterday of a "public outcry" if Mr Brown does not call a referendum.

Foreign secretary David Miliband insisted instead the treaty should be put before the public's elected representatives.

In a Downing Street web chat Mr Miliband said: "The new institutional reforms, which protect British sovereignty in vital areas of national interest should be passed or rejected by parliament".

Beginning a two day tour of Europe today, Britain's Europe minister Ben Murphy said the treaty would help the European Union improve the nation's quality of life.

He said: "The 27 EU member states have agreed the shape of a new amending treaty which will enable us to work together more effectively and more efficiently. Acceptable to all members' governments, it ends the long-running EU debate about institutions.

"The priority for member states' governments now is to focus on how the EU can move forward to tackle the big issues such as driving up employment, combating climate change and protecting consumers."