This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23186128
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| EU referendum: Conservative MPs call for public to have their say | EU referendum: Conservative MPs call for public to have their say |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Conservative MPs have called for the public to have their say on the UK's future in the European Union as they debate plans for a referendum. | Conservative MPs have called for the public to have their say on the UK's future in the European Union as they debate plans for a referendum. |
| James Wharton, whose bill proposes a vote by 2017, said he was "speaking for millions of people" in the country. | James Wharton, whose bill proposes a vote by 2017, said he was "speaking for millions of people" in the country. |
| He said "public sentiment" about Europe had changed and fresh consent for the UK's membership was "long overdue". | He said "public sentiment" about Europe had changed and fresh consent for the UK's membership was "long overdue". |
| But Labour's Douglas Alexander said the referendum date was "arbitrary" and not in "the national interest". | But Labour's Douglas Alexander said the referendum date was "arbitrary" and not in "the national interest". |
| David Cameron has said he is giving Mr Wharton's private member's bill his full support and is in the Commons for Friday's debate - an unusual move for a prime minister, reflecting the symbolic importance of the debate to the Conservative Party. | David Cameron has said he is giving Mr Wharton's private member's bill his full support and is in the Commons for Friday's debate - an unusual move for a prime minister, reflecting the symbolic importance of the debate to the Conservative Party. |
| 'Real choice' | 'Real choice' |
| Mr Wharton's bill, which is also opposed by the Lib Dems, is expected to be approved at second reading - its first parliamentary test - easily but will face much stronger opposition later in its passage through Parliament. | |
| The Conservative benches are packed for the occasion although far fewer Labour and Lib Dems are present. | The Conservative benches are packed for the occasion although far fewer Labour and Lib Dems are present. |
| Opening the debate, Mr Wharton - MP for Stockton South - said "power should reside with the people" and that his bill would give the public a "real choice" on the UK's future in Europe within a "sensible timeframe". | Opening the debate, Mr Wharton - MP for Stockton South - said "power should reside with the people" and that his bill would give the public a "real choice" on the UK's future in Europe within a "sensible timeframe". |
| "We should trust the British public to have their say," he told MPs, adding that recent public votes on the electoral system and devolution for Scotland, Wales showed "we live in the age of the referendum". | "We should trust the British public to have their say," he told MPs, adding that recent public votes on the electoral system and devolution for Scotland, Wales showed "we live in the age of the referendum". |
| "We have had so many referendums on so many things," he said. "It would seem to be farcical to deny a say on such an important thing which matters to so many people." | "We have had so many referendums on so many things," he said. "It would seem to be farcical to deny a say on such an important thing which matters to so many people." |
| 'Different creature' | 'Different creature' |
| Backing Mr Wharton's call, Conservative backbencher Andrew Tyrie said the EU was a "fundamentally different creature" than it was nearly 40 years ago when the public endorsed entry in a referendum. | Backing Mr Wharton's call, Conservative backbencher Andrew Tyrie said the EU was a "fundamentally different creature" than it was nearly 40 years ago when the public endorsed entry in a referendum. |
| For the government, William Hague called on "everyone who is a true democrat to unite behind this bill", saying it was "the best chance currently available" for a referendum and to give people "the decisive say which is their right". | For the government, William Hague called on "everyone who is a true democrat to unite behind this bill", saying it was "the best chance currently available" for a referendum and to give people "the decisive say which is their right". |
| There had been four major EU treaties in the past 25 years which had not been subject to a referendum in the UK, the foreign secretary told MPs, and "no institution can survive without the people's support". | There had been four major EU treaties in the past 25 years which had not been subject to a referendum in the UK, the foreign secretary told MPs, and "no institution can survive without the people's support". |
| He added: "It is the right bill at the right time to give the British people their democratic say on the country's future." | He added: "It is the right bill at the right time to give the British people their democratic say on the country's future." |
| Several eurosceptic Labour MPs also backed the referendum call, with Dennis Skinner urging a vote before the 2015 election. | Several eurosceptic Labour MPs also backed the referendum call, with Dennis Skinner urging a vote before the 2015 election. |
| But Mr Alexander said the referendum was predicated on an "arbitrary date" and an "unrealistic and uncertain negotiating strategy" and claimed the issue had become an obsession for the Conservatives. | |
| "Three years in, this is a party still banging on about Europe, a party talking to itself and not the country." | "Three years in, this is a party still banging on about Europe, a party talking to itself and not the country." |
| And Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes said a referendum could threaten "investment links" with the EU and the coalition had already passed a law triggering a public vote if further powers were handed to Brussels. | And Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes said a referendum could threaten "investment links" with the EU and the coalition had already passed a law triggering a public vote if further powers were handed to Brussels. |
| "Why do we need this bill when we have already legislated for a referendum any way?" he said. | "Why do we need this bill when we have already legislated for a referendum any way?" he said. |
| Uncertain passage | Uncertain passage |
| The prime minister's promise of a referendum by the end of 2017, following a renegotiation of the UK's relationship with Brussels, cannot be made law in the form of a government bill because of Lib Dem opposition. | |
| Mr Wharton - the youngest Conservative in the Commons - agreed to propose the legislation after he came top in a ballot of MPs and after Tory MPs pushed for the referendum commitment to be made binding before the 2015 election. | Mr Wharton - the youngest Conservative in the Commons - agreed to propose the legislation after he came top in a ballot of MPs and after Tory MPs pushed for the referendum commitment to be made binding before the 2015 election. |
| Private members bills traditionally have little chance of becoming law unless they are backed by the government and the future of Mr Wharton's bill is uncertain because of the difference of opinion in the coalition. | Private members bills traditionally have little chance of becoming law unless they are backed by the government and the future of Mr Wharton's bill is uncertain because of the difference of opinion in the coalition. |
| UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said a "passionate" referendum campaign would "wake up" the country. | |
| "I want friendship, co-operation and trade (with the EU). I don't want to be part of a political union," he told the BBC. | |
| "I don't find it acceptable that 75% of our laws are now made by the institutions of Brussels." |