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Johnson urges EU 'consultation' Johnson urges EU 'consultation'
(about 3 hours later)
Conservative London mayor Boris Johnson thinks there should be a "consultation" on "key parts" of the Lisbon Treaty, even if it has already been ratified.Conservative London mayor Boris Johnson thinks there should be a "consultation" on "key parts" of the Lisbon Treaty, even if it has already been ratified.
He admitted it would be "difficult" to have a referendum on the Treaty itself if it was ratified by all EU states.He admitted it would be "difficult" to have a referendum on the Treaty itself if it was ratified by all EU states.
But he said a Tory government could "put key parts ... to the people" such as the need for a "European president".But he said a Tory government could "put key parts ... to the people" such as the need for a "European president".
David Cameron is under pressure to clarify his position after the Irish voted "yes" to the treaty.David Cameron is under pressure to clarify his position after the Irish voted "yes" to the treaty.
The Conservative leader has only promised a referendum on the treaty if it has not already been ratified by all 27 members of the European Union before he comes to power.The Conservative leader has only promised a referendum on the treaty if it has not already been ratified by all 27 members of the European Union before he comes to power.
Asked about the issue on Sunday, Mr Cameron would not give an unequivocal commitment to a referendum, saying he did not want to prejudice decisions in other countries that have yet to ratify the treaty.Asked about the issue on Sunday, Mr Cameron would not give an unequivocal commitment to a referendum, saying he did not want to prejudice decisions in other countries that have yet to ratify the treaty.
'President' Blair'President' Blair
The ratification process is currently being held up by Poland - which is expected to sign within days - and a legal challenge in the Czech Republic. Both countries' parliaments have already approved the treaty. The ratification process is being held up by Poland - which is expected to sign within days - and a legal challenge in the Czech Republic. Both countries' parliaments have already approved the treaty.
Mr Johnson told the BBC it was "bizarre" that people had no say about the prospect of former prime minister Tony Blair becoming president of the EU.Mr Johnson told the BBC it was "bizarre" that people had no say about the prospect of former prime minister Tony Blair becoming president of the EU.
It's certainly the case that you could put key parts of this treaty to the people and you could certainly find out what people thought about it Boris JohnsonMayor of London Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty Czech leader struggles to defy EU Cameron 'working for Euro vote'
He said he believed there should be "a consultation as soon as possible" but admitted that if it was ratified by the Czech Republic and Poland then it would be "a different situation".He said he believed there should be "a consultation as soon as possible" but admitted that if it was ratified by the Czech Republic and Poland then it would be "a different situation".
What we're saying is as long as this treaty is being debated or looked at anywhere in Europe we can hold that referendum. That's what Boris thinks, that's what I think David Cameron Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty Czech leader struggles to defy EU Cameron 'working for Euro vote'
"It will be a matter for William Hague and David Cameron to work out how to give effect to the consultation that I think the people want," he said."It will be a matter for William Hague and David Cameron to work out how to give effect to the consultation that I think the people want," he said.
Even if the treaty was in force by the time of the next general election - expected next spring - he said: "It's certainly the case that you could put key parts of this treaty to the people and you could certainly find out what people thought about it."Even if the treaty was in force by the time of the next general election - expected next spring - he said: "It's certainly the case that you could put key parts of this treaty to the people and you could certainly find out what people thought about it."
Asked which parts of the treaty the public could be given a say on, he added: "I would single out this idea of a European president, because it is so emblematic of what they are trying to achieve, and a European foreign policy." He singled out the "European president" and European foreign policy as issues people could be asked about.
No row Mr Cameron told the BBC that he and Mr Johnson "agree entirely" on the party's policy on Europe adding saying "we want to have this referendum" on the treaty.
"Boris wants that referendum. I want that referendum. The British people want that referendum. They've seen the Irish vote twice and we haven't been able to vote once," he said.
"What we're saying is as long as this treaty is being debated or looked at anywhere in Europe we can hold that referendum. That's what Boris thinks, that's what I think."
UKIP 'overtures'
But UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said some Tories were preparing to defect to them if Mr Cameron failed to deliver a referendum if the Conservatives win power.
"A lot of important Tory supporters aren't happy," he said.
"And they're making that obvious by the overtures they are making to the UK Independence Party, telling us that Conservatives no longer represent them."
Mr Farage said UKIP had already welcomed a sitting Conservative councillor and a former constituency chairman and expected to announce "further defections from the Tories to UKIP in the coming weeks".
The treaty aims to strengthen EU decision-making processes by using a majority vote, not unanimity, for more decisions. It would combine existing roles to make a new post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and create an EU president (President of European Council).The treaty aims to strengthen EU decision-making processes by using a majority vote, not unanimity, for more decisions. It would combine existing roles to make a new post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and create an EU president (President of European Council).
It was rejected by the Irish in a referendum 16 months ago but in a second vote 67% of voters endorsed the treaty.It was rejected by the Irish in a referendum 16 months ago but in a second vote 67% of voters endorsed the treaty.
Mr Cameron has said there would be no new announcements on the party's policy on the treaty during the party's conference in Manchester, in an effort to head off a row about the issue.Mr Cameron has said there would be no new announcements on the party's policy on the treaty during the party's conference in Manchester, in an effort to head off a row about the issue.
Mr Johnson has denied there is a split at the top of the party on Europe, after he suggested the British people "deserved a say" on the treaty. At a fringe meeting on Monday, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said there was "a very strong sense in the Conservative Party, in the shadow cabinet, that we simply can not accept what is on the table" with the Lisbon Treaty.
He said there was "not a cigarette paper" between his and Mr Cameron's position and denied he had been "rapped over the knuckles" by Mr Cameron after appearing to suggest in a Sunday Times interview that voters should have a say no matter what. But he urged the party not to become obsessed with Europe in the run-up to a general election.
He said: "We can only make a difference if we can win. One thing we should not be doing is having a debate about Europe when the rest of the country want to be debating health and education and how we are going to balance the books."