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Abstain in EU vote, Tory ministers advised Abstain in EU vote, Tory ministers advised
(about 4 hours later)
Tory ministers are being advised to abstain in a Commons vote on the failure to introduce laws guaranteeing a referendum on the UK's EU membership, a Downing Street source has confirmed.Tory ministers are being advised to abstain in a Commons vote on the failure to introduce laws guaranteeing a referendum on the UK's EU membership, a Downing Street source has confirmed.
It is thought about 100 backbench MPs could oppose government policy.It is thought about 100 backbench MPs could oppose government policy.
Number 10 said David Cameron, who wants a referendum to take place by 2017, was "relaxed" about the situation.Number 10 said David Cameron, who wants a referendum to take place by 2017, was "relaxed" about the situation.
Labour is expected to oppose the motion and has accused the prime minister of being scared to confront his party.Labour is expected to oppose the motion and has accused the prime minister of being scared to confront his party.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has yet to decide whether to select for debate an amendment "regretting" that there were no plans for an EU referendum bill in the Queen's Speech.The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has yet to decide whether to select for debate an amendment "regretting" that there were no plans for an EU referendum bill in the Queen's Speech.
But if there is a vote on Wednesday, ministers will, in the words of a senior source, be "guided" to abstain, says BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins.But if there is a vote on Wednesday, ministers will, in the words of a senior source, be "guided" to abstain, says BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins.
Other MPs, including ministers' parliamentary aides, will be free to vote with their consciences, said our correspondent.Other MPs, including ministers' parliamentary aides, will be free to vote with their consciences, said our correspondent.
One of them - Gavin Barwell, parliamentary private secretary to Education Secretary Michael Gove - has already said that he intends to support the amendment.One of them - Gavin Barwell, parliamentary private secretary to Education Secretary Michael Gove - has already said that he intends to support the amendment.
'Wrong sign''Wrong sign'
Mr Cameron has promised a referendum if the Tories win the next general election.Mr Cameron has promised a referendum if the Tories win the next general election.
The prime minister has said the pledge to hold an in/out vote by 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 an in/out vote by 2017, once he has negotiated the return of some powers from Brussels, will be in the next Conservative manifesto.
He has told the rebels he cannot introduce a bill paving the way for this because of opposition from his Liberal Democrat coalition partners.He has told the rebels he cannot introduce a bill paving the way for this because of opposition from his Liberal Democrat coalition partners.
But Conservative unrest over Europe has gained fresh momentum following the recent election success of the UK Independence Party and comments by Tory grandees such as Lord Lawson suggesting EU withdrawal.But Conservative unrest over Europe has gained fresh momentum following the recent election success of the UK Independence Party and comments by Tory grandees such as Lord Lawson suggesting EU withdrawal.
Eurosceptic backbenchers, led by Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron, want legislation in the current Parliament binding the next government to hold a referendum.Eurosceptic backbenchers, led by Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron, want legislation in the current Parliament binding the next government to hold a referendum.
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.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.
However, it 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.However, it 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.
Speaking to the Labour group Progress on Saturday, Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prime minister was "hiding behind the sofa" too scared to confront his party.Speaking to the Labour group Progress on Saturday, Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prime minister was "hiding behind the sofa" too scared to confront his party.
'Navel-gazing'
Mr Miliband said: "It is wrong now to commit to an in/out referendum and have four years of uncertainty and a 'closed for business' sign above our country."Mr Miliband said: "It is wrong now to commit to an in/out referendum and have four years of uncertainty and a 'closed for business' sign above our country."
Labour aides stressed that Mr Miliband was opposing the decision to signal a referendum now but not ruling out the possibility of a referendum in the future.Labour aides stressed that Mr Miliband was opposing the decision to signal a referendum now but not ruling out the possibility of a referendum in the future.
Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps said: "David Cameron will give the British people their say on our future in Europe in an in-out referendum in the next parliament.
"But Ed Miliband has once again made clear he will never trust the British people to have their say - he opposes a referendum. He is too weak to stand up for the British people at home and too weak to stand up for our country's interests abroad."
But Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg criticised his coalition partners about their "endless navel-gazing over Europe," which he said was in danger of distracting the government from its priorities.
In his weekly email to Lib Dem members, he said: "Our job is to anchor the government in the centre ground, stopping others from lurching this way and that, and making sure the government delivers our core objectives: a stronger economy in a fairer society."