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| EU Referendum Bill: Tories 'prepared to go the distance', says MP | EU Referendum Bill: Tories 'prepared to go the distance', says MP |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Conservative MPs are "prepared to go the distance, however many rounds it takes", to legislate for an in/out referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, MP James Wharton has said. | Conservative MPs are "prepared to go the distance, however many rounds it takes", to legislate for an in/out referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, MP James Wharton has said. |
| As MPs resumed debate on his bill, which proposes a 2017 referendum, Mr Wharton accused "anti-democratic forces" of standing in his way. | As MPs resumed debate on his bill, which proposes a 2017 referendum, Mr Wharton accused "anti-democratic forces" of standing in his way. |
| Mr Wharton's bill enjoys the support of his party leadership. | Mr Wharton's bill enjoys the support of his party leadership. |
| But Labour MPs are attempting to block progress with delaying tactics. | But Labour MPs are attempting to block progress with delaying tactics. |
| One Labour backbencher, Mike Gapes, has tabled more than 50 amendments to the legislation, 18 of which attempt to change, or place constraints on, the date of the proposed referendum. | One Labour backbencher, Mike Gapes, has tabled more than 50 amendments to the legislation, 18 of which attempt to change, or place constraints on, the date of the proposed referendum. |
| 'Great obsession' | 'Great obsession' |
| BBC Parliamentary Correspondent Mark Darcy said Mr Gapes and his allies were engaging in "time-wasting with a tactical objective", which could leave the bill "in trouble, marooned in the Lords, with no way to get to the statute book". | BBC Parliamentary Correspondent Mark Darcy said Mr Gapes and his allies were engaging in "time-wasting with a tactical objective", which could leave the bill "in trouble, marooned in the Lords, with no way to get to the statute book". |
| Although the general expectation in Westminster is that the legislation will clear the Commons next Friday, it will probably face strong opposition from Europhile peers in the upper chamber, which would be unlikely to find time to debate it before late January, our correspondent added. | Although the general expectation in Westminster is that the legislation will clear the Commons next Friday, it will probably face strong opposition from Europhile peers in the upper chamber, which would be unlikely to find time to debate it before late January, our correspondent added. |
| In a statement issued by Conservative central office, Mr Wharton said: "The Conservatives are fighting to give the British people a say on Europe. | In a statement issued by Conservative central office, Mr Wharton said: "The Conservatives are fighting to give the British people a say on Europe. |
| "Lined-up against us are anti-democratic forces within Labour and the Liberal Democrats doing everything in their power to stall and block this bill. | "Lined-up against us are anti-democratic forces within Labour and the Liberal Democrats doing everything in their power to stall and block this bill. |
| "As usual, they don't trust the British public enough to give them a say, but we are prepared to go the distance, however many rounds it takes, to get the bill through and to let Britain decide." | "As usual, they don't trust the British public enough to give them a say, but we are prepared to go the distance, however many rounds it takes, to get the bill through and to let Britain decide." |
| Mr Gapes told MPs that his proposals were not "frivolous", and warned them that he would push some of them to a vote. "These are serious amendments," he said. | Mr Gapes told MPs that his proposals were not "frivolous", and warned them that he would push some of them to a vote. "These are serious amendments," he said. |
| For Labour, shadow Foreign Office minister Gareth Thomas said: "The prime minister and many in the Conservative Party are very obviously on different pages with regards to Europe." | For Labour, shadow Foreign Office minister Gareth Thomas said: "The prime minister and many in the Conservative Party are very obviously on different pages with regards to Europe." |
| Describing the Conservatives' approach to the EU as a "great obsession", he claimed that David Cameron had been "bullied" by his backbenchers into setting the "entirely arbitrary" 2017 referendum date. | Describing the Conservatives' approach to the EU as a "great obsession", he claimed that David Cameron had been "bullied" by his backbenchers into setting the "entirely arbitrary" 2017 referendum date. |
| With MPs continuing to debate Mr Wharton's EU (Referendum) Bill, Conservative backbencher Adam Afriyie called a vote on his bid to bring the in/out vote forward to 2014. | With MPs continuing to debate Mr Wharton's EU (Referendum) Bill, Conservative backbencher Adam Afriyie called a vote on his bid to bring the in/out vote forward to 2014. |
| Mr Afriyie had warned his colleagues that their approach could cost them the 2015 general election, but MPs overwhelmingly rejected his amendment by 249 votes to 15, a majority of 234. | Mr Afriyie had warned his colleagues that their approach could cost them the 2015 general election, but MPs overwhelmingly rejected his amendment by 249 votes to 15, a majority of 234. |
| Among the 14 Conservatives backing the amendment were prominent Eurosceptic backbenchers Douglas Carswell, Nadine Dorries and Andrew Rosindell. | Among the 14 Conservatives backing the amendment were prominent Eurosceptic backbenchers Douglas Carswell, Nadine Dorries and Andrew Rosindell. |
| Mr Wharton said: "Adam's amendment would have meant the chances of this important bill passing would be diminished and I am pleased so many MPs voted with their good sense to ensure we do everything we can to let Britain decide." | Mr Wharton said: "Adam's amendment would have meant the chances of this important bill passing would be diminished and I am pleased so many MPs voted with their good sense to ensure we do everything we can to let Britain decide." |
| But UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall said: "I am happy to congratulate those 15 MPs who had the courage of their convictions to stand up and be counted. | |
| "They are clearly politicians of principle while meanwhile it appears many Conservatives just want to use the issue as a means of getting re-elected." | |
| 'Jeopardise progress' | 'Jeopardise progress' |
| At second reading, when MPs debate the general principles of legislation, the Commons voted in favour of the bill by 304 votes to zero, with no Lib Dems and just six Labour MPs taking part in the vote. | |
| This is the bill's second day of debate at report stage, which is MPs' last chance to amend the bill. It could go to a third day of debate if MPs run out of time. | This is the bill's second day of debate at report stage, which is MPs' last chance to amend the bill. It could go to a third day of debate if MPs run out of time. |
| Mr Cameron argues that holding a referendum in 2017 will give him enough time for a full renegotiation of the UK's relationship with Brussels before the public is offered a say on whether to leave or remain in the EU. | Mr Cameron argues that holding a referendum in 2017 will give him enough time for a full renegotiation of the UK's relationship with Brussels before the public is offered a say on whether to leave or remain in the EU. |
| Pressed by Labour on which powers the Conservatives would seek to repatriate, Europe minister David Lidington responded: "The honourable gentleman may believe that it would be the right approach for a government to spell out in 2013 precisely what terms ministers in a future Conservative government would hope to put to the EU after 2015 general election. | Pressed by Labour on which powers the Conservatives would seek to repatriate, Europe minister David Lidington responded: "The honourable gentleman may believe that it would be the right approach for a government to spell out in 2013 precisely what terms ministers in a future Conservative government would hope to put to the EU after 2015 general election. |
| "All I can say to him is if that is the sort of naïve approach to negotiation that he endorses now then that would indicate why his party so signally failed to achieve much while they were in office." | "All I can say to him is if that is the sort of naïve approach to negotiation that he endorses now then that would indicate why his party so signally failed to achieve much while they were in office." |
| Mr Lidington told the Commons he accepted that Mr Afriyie had proposed his amendment in good faith. | Mr Lidington told the Commons he accepted that Mr Afriyie had proposed his amendment in good faith. |
| But he added: "I believe that the choice the British people deserve is a choice between membership of the EU on reformed and renegotiated terms, or leaving. And that is the right choice. | But he added: "I believe that the choice the British people deserve is a choice between membership of the EU on reformed and renegotiated terms, or leaving. And that is the right choice. |
| "I do not believe it would be possible to come to an informed view about that choice as early as next year, and it is that understanding of the European context that has led the government to propose the 2017 date." | "I do not believe it would be possible to come to an informed view about that choice as early as next year, and it is that understanding of the European context that has led the government to propose the 2017 date." |
| The bill was tabled by backbench Conservative Mr Wharton in an attempt to enshrine his party leadership's referendum pledge in law. | The bill was tabled by backbench Conservative Mr Wharton in an attempt to enshrine his party leadership's referendum pledge in law. |
| It lacks the support of the Liberal Democrats, and, as a private member's bill, is vulnerable to being delayed by procedural tactics from MPs who oppose it. | It lacks the support of the Liberal Democrats, and, as a private member's bill, is vulnerable to being delayed by procedural tactics from MPs who oppose it. |
| The bill will only become law if the government allocates enough parliamentary time for its advocates in the Commons to overcome any such hurdles. | The bill will only become law if the government allocates enough parliamentary time for its advocates in the Commons to overcome any such hurdles. |
| Deputy PM Nick Clegg has described Mr Cameron's plan as a "short-sighted political calculation" which could see the UK "stumble out" of the EU. | Deputy PM Nick Clegg has described Mr Cameron's plan as a "short-sighted political calculation" which could see the UK "stumble out" of the EU. |
| Leaving the EU would be "economic suicide", he added. | Leaving the EU would be "economic suicide", he added. |