Former Europe minister Keith Vaz joins rebel Labour MPs demanding referendum on EU treaty

12 April 2012

Former Europe minister Keith Vaz has joined the rebel Labour MPs demanding a referendum on the revived EU constitution.

He told the Sun: "I believe the time has come for the government to hold a referendum and decide once and for all Britain's place is at the heart of Europe.

"The British people should have a chance to vote in a referendum on the treaty which will enable us to continue our engagement with Europe."

The referendum could be held on the same day as the next general election, Mr Vaz, who is the Labour MP for Leicester East, added.

Last night David Miliband last avoided ruling out a referendum.

The Foreign Secretary sidestepped questions as Labour becomes increasingly concerned that divisions on the issue could derail any prospect of an early election.

Ministers are warning the growing band of rebels that their demands for a referendum on the EU reform treaty could damage Labour's chances at a snap poll.

Former home secretary David Blunkett has become the most senior figure to challenge Gordon Brown to explain why he is denying the nation a say.

The Prime Minister insists the move is unnecessary because the treaty is not as far-reaching as the EU constitution that was originally proposed - and on which Labour promised a referendum at the last election.

However experts say 96 per cent of the original document has been preserved in the latest version.

It will still create an EU president, give the EU its own "legal personality" for the first time, end Britain's right to veto EU policy in 40 areas, and strengthen EU courts.

Foreign Secretary Mr Miliband last night insisted the constitution "has been abandoned".

However, he repeatedly dodged the question when asked to explicitly rule out a referendum.

In an interview with the ePolitix.com website, he was asked: "You're saying there definitely won't be a referendum?"

Mr Miliband said: "I'm repeating exactly what the Prime Minister said which is that the constitution has been abandoned, that we're in a new situation and that Parliamentary scrutiny is the way forward."

Asked if there were any circumstances under which there could be a referendum, Mr Miliband said: "We've made clear that following the June European Council - where as I say the constitutional treaty was abandoned - it's Parliamentary scrutiny that's the right way forward.

"The Prime Minister's made that very, very clear. I've made that clear. I think that there is an opportunity for Parliament to help scrutinise and also inform through the detailed scrutiny of the reform treaty when it finally comes forward."

Mr Miliband also suggested the Government was planning to enlist business leaders and other groups to campaign in favour of the treaty.

Yesterday Mr Blunkett said Mr Brown had "a long way to go" before he had provided "a proper answer" to the increasing number of Labour MPs, unions and voters demanding a referendum.

"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," Mr Blunkett said.

He said he was "horrified" trade unions had joined the campaign by the Conservatives and Eurosceptic Labour MPs.

Foreign Office sources attacked Mr Blunkett for the "unhelpful" timing of his remarks.

"It may be a fair point that we need to make the case more clearly," said one.

"But it is hard to believe anyone in the Labour Party wants to have a big row over a referendum just as people are talking about a possible early General Election."

Party leaders are concerned the intervention of one of the party's "big beasts" will embolden other Labour critics to speak up.

A hardcore of around 40 backbenchers is thought to support a poll on the reform treaty, but rebels claim 80 more - including some ministers - could join them.

Eurosceptics last night seized on an apparent admission that the new treaty is regarded as the same as the old constitution in Brussels.

Publishing an agenda for discussion, the leaders of the European Parliament, the Conference of Presidents, referred to it as the "constitutional treaty" - exactly the same label given to the 2005 blueprint.

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