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Tories to set out new EU policy Tories to set out new EU policy
(about 2 hours later)
Tory leader David Cameron is to set out his party's new policy on Europe, after they conceded a referendum promised on the Lisbon Treaty was not possible.Tory leader David Cameron is to set out his party's new policy on Europe, after they conceded a referendum promised on the Lisbon Treaty was not possible.
The ratification of the treaty by the Czech Republic on Tuesday scuppered the Conservative campaign for a vote on it.The ratification of the treaty by the Czech Republic on Tuesday scuppered the Conservative campaign for a vote on it.
But Mr Cameron is still under pressure from party Eurosceptics to offer a vote on aspects of the UK-EU relationship. But Mr Cameron is still under pressure from Eurosceptics to offer a vote on aspects of the UK-EU relationship.
Former shadow home secretary David Davis has called for a vote within three months of a general election.Former shadow home secretary David Davis has called for a vote within three months of a general election.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Davis said the vote was needed to give a negotiating mandate for a future Tory government to take to the EU.Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Davis said the vote was needed to give a negotiating mandate for a future Tory government to take to the EU.
The referendum question should incorporate aims such as "recovering control over our criminal justice, asylum and immigration policies" and a "robust opt-out of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights", he wrote.The referendum question should incorporate aims such as "recovering control over our criminal justice, asylum and immigration policies" and a "robust opt-out of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights", he wrote.
'New situation''New situation'
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said a radical move from the Conservatives appeared unlikely.BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said a radical move from the Conservatives appeared unlikely.
"The indications are that Mr Cameron will set out a policy that he believes to be patient and incremental."The indications are that Mr Cameron will set out a policy that he believes to be patient and incremental.
"His challenge will be to find a line that satisfies his party and that he believes a Conservative government could realistically deliver," said our correspondent."His challenge will be to find a line that satisfies his party and that he believes a Conservative government could realistically deliver," said our correspondent.
Eurosceptics in his own party have accused Mr Cameron of reneging on a "cast iron" guarantee made in 2007 to hold a referendum on any treaty that emerged from EU talks, if he became prime minister.Eurosceptics in his own party have accused Mr Cameron of reneging on a "cast iron" guarantee made in 2007 to hold a referendum on any treaty that emerged from EU talks, if he became prime minister.
Mr Cameron said the treaty passing into European law would "create a new situation" and he would set out his response in a speech at 1600 GMT on Wednesday.Mr Cameron said the treaty passing into European law would "create a new situation" and he would set out his response in a speech at 1600 GMT on Wednesday.
The fact is you can't simply opt out of treaty obligations because to do so you need the agreement of the 26 other member states David Miliband, Foreign Secretary EU reform treaty passes last test Nick Robinson: Cameron sell-out?The fact is you can't simply opt out of treaty obligations because to do so you need the agreement of the 26 other member states David Miliband, Foreign Secretary EU reform treaty passes last test Nick Robinson: Cameron sell-out?
It is believed he could pledge to repatriate some powers from Europe and to hold a referendum on any future treaty.It is believed he could pledge to repatriate some powers from Europe and to hold a referendum on any future treaty.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Conservatives' hand had been forced by Czech President Vaclav Klaus's decision to sign the treaty, now set to come into force across Europe on 1 December.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Conservatives' hand had been forced by Czech President Vaclav Klaus's decision to sign the treaty, now set to come into force across Europe on 1 December.
He told the BBC that what happened on Tuesday made it "a bad day for democracy."He told the BBC that what happened on Tuesday made it "a bad day for democracy."
"We have campaigned for that referendum for many years, we believe passionately that there should have been a referendum so that the British people could be consulted.""We have campaigned for that referendum for many years, we believe passionately that there should have been a referendum so that the British people could be consulted."
Mr Hague said the Conservatives would "not let people forget whose fault that was," adding: "Gordon Brown and the Labour Party promised people a referendum at the last election and people have never been consulted in a referendum or a general election."Mr Hague said the Conservatives would "not let people forget whose fault that was," adding: "Gordon Brown and the Labour Party promised people a referendum at the last election and people have never been consulted in a referendum or a general election."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said David Cameron was "still not being honest with people".Foreign Secretary David Miliband said David Cameron was "still not being honest with people".
"The fact is you can't simply opt out of treaty obligations because to do so you need the agreement of the 26 other member states."The fact is you can't simply opt out of treaty obligations because to do so you need the agreement of the 26 other member states.
"David Cameron's position on Europe is false and dangerous.""David Cameron's position on Europe is false and dangerous."
Labour insists the Lisbon Treaty was not the same as the defunct constitutional treaty, on which it had promised voters a say.Labour insists the Lisbon Treaty was not the same as the defunct constitutional treaty, on which it had promised voters a say.
'Badly advised''Badly advised'
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said earlier that if Mr Cameron could not make his position on Europe clear "he is not fit for government". UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, who campaigns for Britain's exit from the EU, said it was no longer possible to trust the Tory party or David Cameron when they made promises about Europe.
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said it was no longer possible to trust the Tory party or David Cameron when they made promises about Europe.
Eurosceptic Conservative MP Bill Cash said he had written to Mr Cameron urging him to "reconsider" his decision not to hold a referendum, saying the Tory leader had been "badly advised".Eurosceptic Conservative MP Bill Cash said he had written to Mr Cameron urging him to "reconsider" his decision not to hold a referendum, saying the Tory leader had been "badly advised".
Sources say there is likely to be an EU summit next week to discuss who will fill the posts of President of the European Council and High Representative for Foreign Affairs, which will be created when the treaty comes into force.Sources say there is likely to be an EU summit next week to discuss who will fill the posts of President of the European Council and High Representative for Foreign Affairs, which will be created when the treaty comes into force.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is widely seen as a candidate for president.Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is widely seen as a candidate for president.
Despite his insistence that he is "not available" to take the job, David Miliband is being considered as a possible High Representative - in effect Europe's first foreign minister, sources have told the BBC.Despite his insistence that he is "not available" to take the job, David Miliband is being considered as a possible High Representative - in effect Europe's first foreign minister, sources have told the BBC.