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EU referendum row: Tory rebels could get free vote EU referendum row: Tory rebels could get free vote
(about 1 hour 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.
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.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.
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.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 Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron, want legislation in the current Parliament binding the next government to hold a referendum no matter what.Eurosceptic backbenchers, led by Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron, want legislation in the current Parliament binding the next government to hold a referendum no matter what.
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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. In their amendment, the MPs state that they "respectfully regret that an EU referendum bill was not included" in the Queen's Speech announced on Wednesday.
The amendment has been signed by nearly 30 Tory backbenchers, including former Cabinet minister Cheryl Gillan and former leadership contender David Davis, as well as two Labour MPs.
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.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. Mr Cameron will not vote himself as he will be out of the country on a trip to the US.
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."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. The spokesman said he would not speculate about what may happen "on a vote that hasn't actually been called yet" but stressed Mr Cameron was "happy to look at all ways of strengthening his commitment to an in/out referendum".
"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."
Conservative MP Philip Hollobone said he hoped it would be a free vote but a "considerable number" of his colleagues would be prepared to defy the government if it was not.Conservative MP Philip Hollobone said he hoped it would be a free vote but a "considerable number" of his colleagues would be prepared to defy the government if it was not.
"There were 81 Conservative MPs who rebelled on the EU referendum issue last time," he told the BBC Two's Daily Politics programme. "I would not be surprised if the number was in excess of 100 [this time]." "There were 81 Conservative MPs who rebelled on the EU referendum issue last time," he told BBC Two's Daily Politics programme. "I would not be surprised if the number was in excess of 100 [this time]."
The amendment would stand little chance of being passed as Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs - most of whom oppose a referendum on those terms - as well as many Conservatives, would vote against it, The amendment would stand little chance of being passed as Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, most of whom oppose a referendum on those terms, as well as many Conservatives, would vote against it.
But Mr Baron has said he wants ministers to remain "focused on this issue".But Mr Baron has said he wants ministers to remain "focused on this issue".
'Hand grenade''Hand grenade'
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".
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 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".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".
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".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".