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Lib Dem MPs set to avoid vote 'stunt' on EU referendum bill | Lib Dem MPs set to avoid vote 'stunt' on EU referendum bill |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Liberal Democrat MPs will not be in Parliament on Friday when the Conservative-backed bill on an EU referendum is debated by MPs. | Liberal Democrat MPs will not be in Parliament on Friday when the Conservative-backed bill on an EU referendum is debated by MPs. |
Cabinet minister Danny Alexander told the BBC "we are not going to be there" for what he called "this sort of parliamentary stunt". | Cabinet minister Danny Alexander told the BBC "we are not going to be there" for what he called "this sort of parliamentary stunt". |
He also played down recent polls, saying "UKIP will come, UKIP will go". | He also played down recent polls, saying "UKIP will come, UKIP will go". |
The private members bill, from Tory MP James Wharton, paves the way for an in-out referendum on the EU in 2017. | The private members bill, from Tory MP James Wharton, paves the way for an in-out referendum on the EU in 2017. |
Although it is a private member's bill, it has the full support of Downing Street, as it enshrines in law the Conservative leadership's promise to renegotiate UK membership of the EU and then hold a referendum if they win the next election. | Although it is a private member's bill, it has the full support of Downing Street, as it enshrines in law the Conservative leadership's promise to renegotiate UK membership of the EU and then hold a referendum if they win the next election. |
It is having its second reading on 5 July - if Labour and Lib Dem opponents of the idea do not vote against it, the bill is likely to move on to the next stage of the parliamentary process. | It is having its second reading on 5 July - if Labour and Lib Dem opponents of the idea do not vote against it, the bill is likely to move on to the next stage of the parliamentary process. |
But they are expected to oppose it at later stages. | But they are expected to oppose it at later stages. |
'Wasting our influence' | 'Wasting our influence' |
Mr Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "We set out our position on this repeatedly in Parliament. I think this is a sort of parliamentary stunt. | Mr Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "We set out our position on this repeatedly in Parliament. I think this is a sort of parliamentary stunt. |
"We are not going to be there. I will be in my constituency working hard for the people of the Highlands, as I do almost every Friday. | "We are not going to be there. I will be in my constituency working hard for the people of the Highlands, as I do almost every Friday. |
"I voted for the legislation this government brought forward, which for the first time will guarantee a referendum takes place whenever there is a further change in the European treaties that affect Britain. | "I voted for the legislation this government brought forward, which for the first time will guarantee a referendum takes place whenever there is a further change in the European treaties that affect Britain. |
"That bill guarantees a referendum will take place if there are future treaty changes. That's what we promised in our manifesto." | "That bill guarantees a referendum will take place if there are future treaty changes. That's what we promised in our manifesto." |
He criticised the private members bill for the "idea... that we should somehow be wasting our influence in Europe going after nation-specific repatriation". | He criticised the private members bill for the "idea... that we should somehow be wasting our influence in Europe going after nation-specific repatriation". |
Instead, he said, Britain should be "using our influence in Europe to build up the European economy, to support measures that will improve job creation and growth prospects across Europe - as we know from the Eurozone that's what's knocking our economy back so much." | Instead, he said, Britain should be "using our influence in Europe to build up the European economy, to support measures that will improve job creation and growth prospects across Europe - as we know from the Eurozone that's what's knocking our economy back so much." |
When it was put to Mr Alexander that his argument was falling on deaf ears, he said: "I am quite confident in that argument. | When it was put to Mr Alexander that his argument was falling on deaf ears, he said: "I am quite confident in that argument. |
"UKIP will come and UKIP will go but what matters is Britain stays a full member of the European Union, that we have a referendum as and when a major treaty change takes place but we don't try and conjure one up out of nothing for domestic political reasons." | "UKIP will come and UKIP will go but what matters is Britain stays a full member of the European Union, that we have a referendum as and when a major treaty change takes place but we don't try and conjure one up out of nothing for domestic political reasons." |
Eurosceptic Mr Wharton topped a ballot of backbenchers in May which allows him to introduce his own legislation. Downing Street has said Conservative MPs will be under a three-line whip, the strongest order a party can give, to support it. | Eurosceptic Mr Wharton topped a ballot of backbenchers in May which allows him to introduce his own legislation. Downing Street has said Conservative MPs will be under a three-line whip, the strongest order a party can give, to support it. |
A source close to Labour leader Ed Miliband said earlier this month that his MPs would not take part in the vote on Friday, describing the bill as a "gimmick". | |
Shadow cabinet minister Chuka Umunna said Labour did not plan to get involved "in what is basically an internal debate to the Conservative Party". | |
Asked if Labour would include a commitment to an EU referendum in their election manifesto, Mr Umunna told Sky News' Dermot Murnaghan: "Do I think we should create huge uncertainty... putting jobs at risk? I do not believe that is the right thing and we are not committed to an in-out referendum. | |
"But if there's a proposal to transfer powers to Europe, we have said yes there should be." | |
The Conservatives say they want to let the British people "decide our European future" and accused Mr Miliband of being "too weak to give his MPs, let alone the public, a say". | The Conservatives say they want to let the British people "decide our European future" and accused Mr Miliband of being "too weak to give his MPs, let alone the public, a say". |
The UK Independent Party says it is the only party which will pull the UK out of the European Union. They got 23% of the vote in the local election England in May, compared with 14% for the Lib Dems. | The UK Independent Party says it is the only party which will pull the UK out of the European Union. They got 23% of the vote in the local election England in May, compared with 14% for the Lib Dems. |
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