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| Brown predicts UK to get EU deal | Brown predicts UK to get EU deal |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown has predicted "we'll get what we need" from this week's EU summit. | Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown has predicted "we'll get what we need" from this week's EU summit. |
| But he told GMTV that "if necessary" he would be prepared to hold a referendum on changes to the way the EU is run. | But he told GMTV that "if necessary" he would be prepared to hold a referendum on changes to the way the EU is run. |
| On Monday Tony Blair set out four areas he would not compromise on: the Charter of Fundamental Rights, foreign policy, common law, and tax and benefits. | On Monday Tony Blair set out four areas he would not compromise on: the Charter of Fundamental Rights, foreign policy, common law, and tax and benefits. |
| This removes the need for a referendum, he said. But the Tories say any power transfer must be put to a public vote. | This removes the need for a referendum, he said. But the Tories say any power transfer must be put to a public vote. |
| The summit on Thursday and Friday is expected to go to the wire as leaders wrangle over how much of the constitution rejected by voters in France and Holland in 2005 should be revived. | The summit on Thursday and Friday is expected to go to the wire as leaders wrangle over how much of the constitution rejected by voters in France and Holland in 2005 should be revived. |
| Mr Blair told MPs on Monday an agreement could only be reached on a "conventional amending treaty". | Mr Blair told MPs on Monday an agreement could only be reached on a "conventional amending treaty". |
| Expansion | Expansion |
| And he set out four "red lines" which he said would ensure that the treaty did not have the characteristics of a constitution. | And he set out four "red lines" which he said would ensure that the treaty did not have the characteristics of a constitution. |
| I suspect that the best deal for Britain will be won Gordon Brown | I suspect that the best deal for Britain will be won Gordon Brown |
| Mr Blair and Mr Brown are due to hold pre-summit talks later with French President Nicholas Sarkozy via a video link. | Mr Blair and Mr Brown are due to hold pre-summit talks later with French President Nicholas Sarkozy via a video link. |
| But Mr Blair's hopes of forming an Anglo-French alliance appear to have been dashed, as Mr Sarkozy joined Spain in backing a major expansion of EU powers. | But Mr Blair's hopes of forming an Anglo-French alliance appear to have been dashed, as Mr Sarkozy joined Spain in backing a major expansion of EU powers. |
| The French and Spanish unveiled a 10 point document on Monday calling for a "single legal personality" for the EU and a legally-binding Charter of Fundamental Rights which could give workers in the UK new rights to strike. | The French and Spanish unveiled a 10 point document on Monday calling for a "single legal personality" for the EU and a legally-binding Charter of Fundamental Rights which could give workers in the UK new rights to strike. |
| The two countries are also insisting on more majority voting in 51 policy areas including in criminal law and foreign policy. | The two countries are also insisting on more majority voting in 51 policy areas including in criminal law and foreign policy. |
| 'Best deal' | 'Best deal' |
| Britain is now likely to join forces with Poland, which opposes changes to the EU voting system, and the Netherlands, which wants power returned to national governments and opposes a Charter of Fundamental Rights. | Britain is now likely to join forces with Poland, which opposes changes to the EU voting system, and the Netherlands, which wants power returned to national governments and opposes a Charter of Fundamental Rights. |
| For a master communicator Mr Blair's language is a little odd BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full | For a master communicator Mr Blair's language is a little odd BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full |
| Mr Brown will not be attending the summit but he told GMTV he had been kept up to date on progress by Mr Blair. | Mr Brown will not be attending the summit but he told GMTV he had been kept up to date on progress by Mr Blair. |
| Asked if he would hold a referendum on the EU when he enters Downing Street, he said "if it were necessary". | Asked if he would hold a referendum on the EU when he enters Downing Street, he said "if it were necessary". |
| But he added: "The question is 'Can we get the best deal for Britain?' and I suspect that the best deal for Britain will be won, where we will get what we want at this summit. | But he added: "The question is 'Can we get the best deal for Britain?' and I suspect that the best deal for Britain will be won, where we will get what we want at this summit. |
| "Of course, it is a matter of negotiation and compromise and other things, but I think we will get what we need." | "Of course, it is a matter of negotiation and compromise and other things, but I think we will get what we need." |
| Britain will not accept a treaty which allows the Charter of Fundamental Rights to change UK law in any way or displaces the role of British foreign policy and its foreign secretary, Mr Blair has said. | Britain will not accept a treaty which allows the Charter of Fundamental Rights to change UK law in any way or displaces the role of British foreign policy and its foreign secretary, Mr Blair has said. |
| 'Red herrings' | 'Red herrings' |
| Mr Blair has also rejected any changes requiring the UK the UK to give up control of its common law and judicial and police system or introduces majority voting in tax and benefits issues. | Mr Blair has also rejected any changes requiring the UK the UK to give up control of its common law and judicial and police system or introduces majority voting in tax and benefits issues. |
| Speaking to the House of Commons Liaison Committee on Monday, Mr Blair said: "If we achieve those four objectives, I defy people to say what it is that is supposed to be so fundamental it would require a referendum." | Speaking to the House of Commons Liaison Committee on Monday, Mr Blair said: "If we achieve those four objectives, I defy people to say what it is that is supposed to be so fundamental it would require a referendum." |
| But the Conservatives said any transfer of power to the EU must be put to a public vote. | But the Conservatives said any transfer of power to the EU must be put to a public vote. |
| Shadow Europe Minister Mark Francois said: "These are not so much red lines as red herrings. | Shadow Europe Minister Mark Francois said: "These are not so much red lines as red herrings. |
| "For instance, he said nothing about a new EU president or giving the EU the right to sign treaties. | "For instance, he said nothing about a new EU president or giving the EU the right to sign treaties. |
| "Nor did he make clear his views on the crucial details in other areas that could see major transfers of power to the EU." | "Nor did he make clear his views on the crucial details in other areas that could see major transfers of power to the EU." |
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