MPs could force referendum through parliament
The government may be forced into a referendum on the EU treaty if MPs succeed in amending legislation to be put through parliament.
Ministers have resisted calls for a public vote, saying the EU treaty – which replaces the failed constitution – should be approved by parliament not the public.
But Europe minister Jim Murphy said yesterday it “should not be beyond the wit of men and women” to draft a ratification bill that enables MPs to table an amendment calling for a referendum.
It is by no means certain such an amendment would gain parliamentary support.
The Conservatives are campaigning heavily for a referendum on the proposed treaty and could have support from up to 120 Labour MPs, but realistically far less if the prime minister decides to asset himself over the issue.
Moreover, in a boost to Gordon Brown yesterday, Lib Dem leader Menzies Campbell said he did not think a referendum was necessary.
Nevertheless, shadow Europe minister Mark Francois said the government was “clearly worried” by the level of support among both MPs and members of the public for a referendum.
Mr Francois said: “MPs from all three political parties were elected to parliament on the promise of a referendum on the EU Constitution and the Minister today publicly committed to framing the subsequent Ratification Bill in such away as to allow MPs to demand one.”
The prime minister was dealt a blow yesterday when trade unions backed calls for a referendum.
Delegates at the TUC Congress approved a GMB-led motion to call a public vote as a way of raising concern over the opt-outs secured by the UK, which unions warn will compromise workers’ rights.
Trade unions in Brighton, however, rejected a call from the RMT to actively campaign for a ‘no’ right in the event of an EU referendum.
Commenting, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: “People from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum are now calling on Gordon Brown to honour the commitment he made to a referendum of the British people.
“He has no democratic mandate to introduce an EU treaty which is essentially the same as the EU Constitution without such a referendum.”
Describing the result as “deeply embarrassing” for the government, Mr Hague urged Labour MPs to listen to the unions and honour their own manifesto pledge for a referendum.
In its manifesto, Labour promised to hold a public vote on the EU Constitution, which was abandoned in 2005 after ‘no’ votes in France and the Netherlands. As a result, ministers now claim the agreed treaty is not the same as a constitution, meaning a referendum is no longer required.
