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EU referendum row: Tory rebels could get free vote EU referendum row: Tory rebels could get free vote
(about 2 hours later)
Tory MPs could be allowed to vote against the Queen's Speech next week as a row over an EU referendum deepens.Tory MPs could be allowed to vote against the Queen's Speech next week as a row over an EU referendum deepens.
The rebel Tories have put down an amendment expressing regret that there was no mention of a referendum in the government's plans for the year ahead. Rebel Conservatives have put down an amendment expressing regret that there was no mention of a referendum in the government's plans for the year ahead.
Downing Street said David Cameron was "relaxed" about the move and suggested ministers might be allowed to back the amendment.Downing Street said David Cameron was "relaxed" about the move and suggested ministers might be allowed to back the amendment.
Mr Cameron has promised a referendum if the Tories win the next election.Mr Cameron has promised a referendum if the Tories win the next election.
He has said the pledge to hold a referendum in 2017, once he has negotiated the return of some powers from Brussels, will be in the next Conservative manifesto. The prime minister has said the pledge to hold a referendum in 2017, once he has negotiated the return of some powers from Brussels, will be in the next Conservative manifesto.
Eurosceptic backbenchers, led by John Baron, want legislation in the current Parliament binding the next government to hold a referendum no matter what.Eurosceptic backbenchers, led by John Baron, want legislation in the current Parliament binding the next government to hold a referendum no matter what.
Authority
But their amendment, the precise wording of which has yet to be revealed, is expected to be carefully phrased to back the prime minister's promise on 2017.
Downing Street declined to say whether a whip would be imposed on Conservatives if the amendment is selected by Speaker John Bercow for a Commons vote next Tuesday or Wednesday.
The prime minister's official spokesman did not rule out the possibility that Mr Cameron might consider backing the amendment himself, effectively voting against his government's Queen's Speech.
But Mr Cameron is likely to be out of the country when the vote takes place.
Asked if the prime minister feared that the row over EU policy was undermining his authority, his spokesman said: "The PM welcomes the spotlight being put back on his commitment, because he has been absolutely clear that if he is the prime minister post-2015, he will ensure there is a referendum in 2017."
The spokesman added: "The key point here is that he has always made it clear that he will look at all ways of strengthening his commitment to an in/out referendum in the next Parliament.
"He is happy to look at all ways of strengthening his commitment to an in/out referendum.
"I'm not going to speculate about what may happen on a vote that hasn't actually been called yet."
The amendment would stand little chance of being passed as Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, as well as many Conservatives, would vote against it, but Mr Baron has said he wants ministers to remain "focused on this issue".
'Hand grenade''Hand grenade'
But their amendment - the precise wording of which has yet to be revealed - is expected to be carefully phrased to back the prime minister's 2017 pledge.
The amendment would stand little chance of being passed as Labour and Lib Dem MPs, as well as many Conservatives, would vote against it, but Mr Baron has said he wants ministers to remain "focused on this issue".
Downing Street has neither confirmed or denied that Conservative MPs will be allowed a free vote on the amendment if, as seems likely, Speaker John Bercow calls it on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
Mr Cameron is thought to have no objection, in principle, to a vote on draft legislation on an EU referendum.
But he will not be taking part in the vote, as he will be out of the country at the time.
It comes as the war of words between senior Conservatives over whether Britain should leave the EU continues.It comes as the war of words between senior Conservatives over whether Britain should leave the EU continues.
Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind described former Chancellor Lord Lawson's decision to back withdrawal as the equivalent of throwing a "hand grenade into a small building".Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind described former Chancellor Lord Lawson's decision to back withdrawal as the equivalent of throwing a "hand grenade into a small building".
'Disastrous'
In an interview with the Guardian, Sir Malcolm accused Lord Lawson of wanting to place Britain in the "humiliating" position of being subject to EU rules but having no say in how they are made.In an interview with the Guardian, Sir Malcolm accused Lord Lawson of wanting to place Britain in the "humiliating" position of being subject to EU rules but having no say in how they are made.
Former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling, writing in the Times, said it was clearly in Britain's interests to remain in the EU.Former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling, writing in the Times, said it was clearly in Britain's interests to remain in the EU.
Hitting back at Lord Lawson and Michael Portillo, who has also come out in favour of leaving the EU, he said inward investment depended on the UK remaining in the "largest trading bloc in the world". Hitting back at Lord Lawson and former Defence Secretary Michael Portillo, who has also come out in favour of leaving the EU, he said inward investment depended on the UK remaining in the "largest trading bloc in the world".
He also argued that leaving the EU would diminish Britain's influence in the world and called on "those who believe in this cause to join the fight". Mr Darling also argued that leaving the EU would diminish Britain's influence in the world and called on "those who believe in this cause to join the fight".
In an article for the Times, former Defence Minister turned TV pundit Mr Portillo described Mr Cameron's referendum plan as an "insincere ploy" and said the EU no longer served the UK's interests. Mr Portillo, in an article in the Times a day earlier, described Mr Cameron's referendum plan as an "insincere ploy" and said the EU no longer served the UK's interests.
He said the "disastrous" euro project had "created hardship, unemployment and division on a dangerous scale". The television pundit and presenter wrote that the "disastrous" euro project had "created hardship, unemployment and division on a dangerous scale".