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Tories to publish details of draft EU referendum bill Tories to publish details of draft EU referendum bill
(34 minutes later)
The Conservatives are to publish a draft parliamentary bill to legislate for an in-out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union to be held by the end of 2017.The Conservatives are to publish a draft parliamentary bill to legislate for an in-out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union to be held by the end of 2017.
The move is an attempt to show David Cameron is serious about a referendum pledge he made earlier this year.The move is an attempt to show David Cameron is serious about a referendum pledge he made earlier this year.
It comes amid growing ructions among Conservatives over Europe.It comes amid growing ructions among Conservatives over Europe.
But the move has been criticised by the Lib Dems and Labour, while one Tory MP said the "ploy could fail".But the move has been criticised by the Lib Dems and Labour, while one Tory MP said the "ploy could fail".
Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC that the promise of a draft bill was a "demonstration of our commitment to a referendum".
The prime minister has pledged to renegotiate the UK's relations with the EU and then hold an in-out referendum before the end of 2017 if the Conservatives win the next election.The prime minister has pledged to renegotiate the UK's relations with the EU and then hold an in-out referendum before the end of 2017 if the Conservatives win the next election.
But many of his MPs want a vote sooner or, at the very least, a bill committing to a referendum put before Parliament.But many of his MPs want a vote sooner or, at the very least, a bill committing to a referendum put before Parliament.
MPs are seeking to force a vote on the issue - expressing their regret that there was no mention of a future referendum in the Queen's Speech - on Wednesday. MPs are seeking to force a vote on the issue - in an amendment expressing their regret that there was no mention of a future referendum in the Queen's Speech - on Wednesday.
Up to 70 MPs - including a number of Conservative ministerial aides - have said they will support the move. Up to 70 MPs, including a number of Conservative ministerial aides, have said they will support the move.
But in an attempt to dissuade them, draft legislation on a referendum is expected to be published by the Conservatives, with the idea that it could be brought to the Commons for debate by a Tory backbencher in the form of a so-called private member's bill. But in an attempt to dissuade them, draft legislation on a referendum is expected to be published by the Conservatives, with the idea that it could be brought to the Commons for debate by a Tory backbencher in the form of a "private member's bill".
The ballot for private members' bills will be held on Thursday and to have any chance of becoming law, such a bill would require the government to give up parliamentary time to allow it to be debated in detail. The ballot for private members' bills will be held on Thursday and, although such bills have little chance of becoming law, there is non-government parliamentary time available for them to be debated.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the Conservatives were pursuing this route because they assume that their Liberal Democrat coalition partners would block any move by the government to allow MPs to debate an EU referendum. The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the Conservatives were pursuing this route because they assume that their Liberal Democrat coalition partners would block any move by the government to allow MPs to debate an EU referendum in government time.
However, Nick Clegg's office is reported to have said he would also refuse to allow government time for any EU private member's bill to be debated.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Cameron - who is on a trip to the US - said it was in the "national interest" to renegotiate the UK's relationship with EU before holding a referendum.Speaking on Monday, Mr Cameron - who is on a trip to the US - said it was in the "national interest" to renegotiate the UK's relationship with EU before holding a referendum.
Having one now, would provide a "false choice" between the status quo and an immediate exit, he said. However, having one now would provide a "false choice" between the status quo and an immediate exit, he said.
Nevertheless, two senior cabinet ministers have said publicly they would vote to quit the EU if a poll was held straight away.Nevertheless, two senior cabinet ministers have said publicly they would vote to quit the EU if a poll was held straight away.
But more pro-European Tories have warned against a "kneejerk reaction" and said there must be an orderly process leading up to any vote over the UK's future in the EU. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Foreign Secretary William Hague refused to say how he would vote in a referendum, but declared himself "certainly a Eurosceptic".
He added: "The best thing to do is to try to get some legislation through. That's why we are publishing this draft bill."
'Seize the moment''Seize the moment'
Tory MP John Baron, a Eurosceptic, said any draft bill could get "bogged down by a determined minority" and fail.Tory MP John Baron, a Eurosceptic, said any draft bill could get "bogged down by a determined minority" and fail.
Instead Mr Cameron should have the "courage" to support the Queen's Speech amendment, which would "force Labour and the liberals to decide" their position on the EU.Instead Mr Cameron should have the "courage" to support the Queen's Speech amendment, which would "force Labour and the liberals to decide" their position on the EU.
"If we won, the prime minister would then have the mandate to introduce legislation through the normal channels which would have a far better chance of success," Mr Baron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "If we won, the prime minister would then have the mandate to introduce legislation through the normal channels which would have a far better chance of success," Mr Baron told Today.
"The prime minister should seize the moment presented by our amendment. He can legitimately claim to the liberals that the situation was not of his making and therefore not within the confines of coalition agreement.""The prime minister should seize the moment presented by our amendment. He can legitimately claim to the liberals that the situation was not of his making and therefore not within the confines of coalition agreement."
More pro-European Tories have warned against a "kneejerk reaction" and said there must be an orderly process leading up to any vote over the UK's future in the EU.
Labour says committing to hold a referendum in four years' time makes no sense and creates uncertainty at a time when securing economic recovery should be the government's priority.Labour says committing to hold a referendum in four years' time makes no sense and creates uncertainty at a time when securing economic recovery should be the government's priority.
"This seems to be just the latest panicked response from the prime minister who is now following, rather than leading, his backbenchers," said shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander."This seems to be just the latest panicked response from the prime minister who is now following, rather than leading, his backbenchers," said shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander.
The Lib Dems said the government had already legislated to seek public approval before any further powers were handed to Brussels, and having a referendum "in response to nothing" was self-defeating and a distraction.The Lib Dems said the government had already legislated to seek public approval before any further powers were handed to Brussels, and having a referendum "in response to nothing" was self-defeating and a distraction.
The party's president Tim Farron said the Conservatives' strategy was "in chaos". Party president Tim Farron said the Conservatives' strategy was "in chaos".
At the same time, the UK Independence Party - which campaigns for a UK exit - has raised the possibility of Conservative and Labour candidates who favour withdrawal standing under a joint banner with UKIP at the next election. The UK Independence Party - which campaigns for a UK exit - has raised the possibility of Conservative and Labour candidates who favour withdrawal standing under a joint banner with UKIP at the next election.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage described the bill as "nothing more than gesture politics". Leader Nigel Farage described the proposed draft bill as "nothing more than gesture politics".