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-25757168

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Liam Fox: Vote Tory to avoid 'tragedy' of no EU referendum Liam Fox: Vote Tory to avoid 'tragedy' of no EU referendum
(35 minutes later)
Voting Conservative is the only way to avoid the "tragedy" of not having an in/out EU referendum, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said.Voting Conservative is the only way to avoid the "tragedy" of not having an in/out EU referendum, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said.
On BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Fox did not dismiss speculation that UKIP could win the most seats in the European parliament elections in May.On BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Fox did not dismiss speculation that UKIP could win the most seats in the European parliament elections in May.
But he warned: "A vote for anyone [other than the Conservatives] is likely to mean no vote for the British people on their own destiny.But he warned: "A vote for anyone [other than the Conservatives] is likely to mean no vote for the British people on their own destiny.
"That would be a tragedy.""That would be a tragedy."
Asked whether the UK Independence Party could win the forthcoming poll, the Conservative MP for for North Somerset said: "I think pretty much anything could happen in May because voters will very much see the European elections as a referendum on a referendum.Asked whether the UK Independence Party could win the forthcoming poll, the Conservative MP for for North Somerset said: "I think pretty much anything could happen in May because voters will very much see the European elections as a referendum on a referendum.
"It's very important that the Conservative Party is defined by the national interest, that we decide that we have to have a rational and reasonable debate about our role in Europe and our role in the world."It's very important that the Conservative Party is defined by the national interest, that we decide that we have to have a rational and reasonable debate about our role in Europe and our role in the world.
"There is only one party in this country that can guarantee the people in this country will get a referendum on the EU and that is the Conservative Party.""There is only one party in this country that can guarantee the people in this country will get a referendum on the EU and that is the Conservative Party."
Mr Fox's comments came on the day a YouGov opinion poll for The Sun suggested that the Conservatives would come third if the European elections were held tomorrow, with 23% of the vote, compared with 26% for UKIP, 32% for Labour and 9% for the Lib Dems.
The Sun quotes UKIP leader Nigel Farage as saying: "These are exciting figures. This will be the most significant Euro election ever in this country because at last we discussing Europe and immigration - we hope to win it."
The same online poll, of 1,893 British adults on Tuesday and Wednesday, suggested that if there were a general election tomorrow Labour would get 39% of votes, the Conservatives 33%, UKIP 12% and the Lib Dems 10%.