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EU referendum: Tory MPs set to rebel against government EU referendum: Tory MPs set to rebel against government
(about 3 hours later)
The government is facing the prospect of a rebellion by Conservative MPs when Parliament votes on proposals for a referendum on Europe.The government is facing the prospect of a rebellion by Conservative MPs when Parliament votes on proposals for a referendum on Europe.
All Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour MPs have been instructed to vote against the motion calling for a public vote on the UK's place in the EU.All Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour MPs have been instructed to vote against the motion calling for a public vote on the UK's place in the EU.
However, nearly 70 Tory MPs are likely to defy the party whip on the issue.However, nearly 70 Tory MPs are likely to defy the party whip on the issue.
Although that will not change the result, their action is being seen as a test of David Cameron's leadership.Although that will not change the result, their action is being seen as a test of David Cameron's leadership.
The prime minister opposes a public vote on Britain's EU membership and has sought to shift attention onto helping to solve the eurozone crisis.The prime minister opposes a public vote on Britain's EU membership and has sought to shift attention onto helping to solve the eurozone crisis.
He has installed a three-line whip - the strongest order a party can give - on Conservative MPs, meaning that any who vote against the government will be expected to resign from government jobs. He has imposed a three-line whip - the strongest order a party can give - on Conservative MPs, meaning that any who vote against the government will be expected to resign from government jobs.
Speaking at his press conference in Brussels where he is meeting EU leaders to discuss the eurozone crisis, Mr Cameron said: "I don't think this is the right time to legislate for an in-out referendum.Speaking at his press conference in Brussels where he is meeting EU leaders to discuss the eurozone crisis, Mr Cameron said: "I don't think this is the right time to legislate for an in-out referendum.
"I think this is the right time to sort out Europe's problems, sort out the eurozone problem, defend your national interest and look to the opportunities in the future to repatriate powers back to Britain.""I think this is the right time to sort out Europe's problems, sort out the eurozone problem, defend your national interest and look to the opportunities in the future to repatriate powers back to Britain."
He said the possibility of changes to the European Union's treaty had been discussed at the summit - and that could provide an opportunity for Britain to reclaim powers from Brussels.He said the possibility of changes to the European Union's treaty had been discussed at the summit - and that could provide an opportunity for Britain to reclaim powers from Brussels.
Asked whether raising the possibility of repatriating some of Britain's powers was an olive branch to Tory rebels, Mr Cameron said: "You can interpret it how you want to."Asked whether raising the possibility of repatriating some of Britain's powers was an olive branch to Tory rebels, Mr Cameron said: "You can interpret it how you want to."
'Downgrade orders''Downgrade orders'
On Saturday, Foreign Secretary William Hague, widely seen as a eurosceptic, urged Tory MPs not to vote for the motion. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said solving the eurozone finance crisis should be the priority.On Saturday, Foreign Secretary William Hague, widely seen as a eurosceptic, urged Tory MPs not to vote for the motion. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said solving the eurozone finance crisis should be the priority.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that despite unhappiness amongst some Tory backbenchers and the threat of some frontbench resignations, "the three-line whip remains because the motion is contrary to government policy".Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that despite unhappiness amongst some Tory backbenchers and the threat of some frontbench resignations, "the three-line whip remains because the motion is contrary to government policy".
Prominent Conservative backbencher John Redwood said there was no need for a three-line whip because Labour and Lib Dem MPs were going to vote against the motion.Prominent Conservative backbencher John Redwood said there was no need for a three-line whip because Labour and Lib Dem MPs were going to vote against the motion.
He urged the government to downgrade the orders to a one-line whip, which is when the government issues a guide on how it would like its MPs to vote.He urged the government to downgrade the orders to a one-line whip, which is when the government issues a guide on how it would like its MPs to vote.
Labour leader Ed Miliband told the BBC's Politics Show that David Cameron had brought the problems on himself by "appeasing eurosceptics".Labour leader Ed Miliband told the BBC's Politics Show that David Cameron had brought the problems on himself by "appeasing eurosceptics".
"It's no wonder that his backbenchers are disappointed, because he has been pretending for a long time that he is one of them," he said."It's no wonder that his backbenchers are disappointed, because he has been pretending for a long time that he is one of them," he said.
The Commons debate on the issue was prompted after a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people.The Commons debate on the issue was prompted after a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people.
The motion - which carries no legal weight - calls for a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU, leave or renegotiate its membership.The motion - which carries no legal weight - calls for a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU, leave or renegotiate its membership.
In the coalition agreement, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, a traditionally pro-European party, agreed to "ensure that the British government is a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners".In the coalition agreement, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, a traditionally pro-European party, agreed to "ensure that the British government is a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners".
On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was the worst time for a debate about Britain leaving the EU as a "firestorm" engulfs the eurozone.On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was the worst time for a debate about Britain leaving the EU as a "firestorm" engulfs the eurozone.