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Tories to set out new EU policy Tories to set out new EU policy
(about 1 hour 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. Conservative leader David Cameron is to set out his party's new policy on Europe, after conceding a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is 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 UK opposition party's plans for a vote on it if they win power next year.
But Mr Cameron is still under pressure from Eurosceptics to offer a vote on aspects of the UK-EU relationship. But Mr Cameron is still under pressure from Eurosceptics in his own party to offer the public a say on Europe.
Former shadow home secretary David Davis has called for a vote within three months of a general election. He could promise referendums on future treaties and to repatriate some powers.
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. But that is unlikely to satisfy the Eurosceptic wing of his party, who have accused him of reneging on a "cast iron" guarantee to offer the public a referendum on the treaty if he becomes prime minister.
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. Mr Cameron, who opinion polls suggest is on course to win the election, widely expected in May, was forced to abandon his pledge to hold a referendum on Tuesday after Czech President Vaclav Klaus signed the Lisbon Treaty.
'New situation''New situation'
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said a radical move from the Conservatives appeared unlikely. He had been urging Mr Klaus to delay signing the treaty until after a British general election so that a referendum could be held in the UK.
"The indications are that Mr Cameron will set out a policy that he believes to be patient and incremental. But he said the Czech ratification, which means the treaty will pass into law across Europe on 1 December, created a "new situation". He will make a statement at 1600 GMT on his new position.
"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. Shadow foreign secretary William Hague described Tuesday's events as a "bad day for democracy".
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.
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. But he said it meant the Conservatives' long campaign against the treaty, which will create a President of the European Council and High Representative for Foreign Affairs, effectively a foreign minister, had to come to an end.
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 blamed Labour for reneging on its promise to hold a referendum, saying: "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."
He told the BBC that what happened on Tuesday made it "a bad day for democracy." Labour argues that the Lisbon Treaty is "good for Britain" and different to the ill-fated constitutional treaty on which it had promised a referendum.
"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." Foreign Secretary David Miliband said David Cameron was "still not being honest with people" about Europe, amid speculation the Tory leader will promise to demand powers back from Europe in areas such as social affairs, employment and justice.
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." 'False and dangerous'
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said David Cameron was "still not being honest with people". Mr Miliband said: "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. Mr Cameron will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the civil war over Europe which marred the leadership of many of his predecessors as Conservative leader.
'Badly advised' It is no longer possible to trust the Tory party or David Cameron when they make promises about Europe Nigel Farage, UKIP leader
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.
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. Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan, who has called for Britain to leave the EU, said: "Alright, a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty might no longer be the most logical option: it's hardly for us to tell the Belgians or the Slovenes what institutions they should work under.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is widely seen as a candidate for president. "But a referendum on European integration - ideally on the broad repatriation of powers - is essential."
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. Former shadow home secretary David Davis, who was defeated by Mr Cameron for the Conservative Party leadership in 2005, has called for a referendum on Europe 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.
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 UK Independence Party, which campaigns for Britain's exit from the EU and came second to the Conservatives at this year's European elections, is hoping to win votes off the party at the next election.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "Mr Hague says it is 'no longer possible' to have a referendum. Well, to me and millions of others it is apparent that it is no longer possible to trust the Tory party or David Cameron when they make promises about Europe."