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Unite to press Ed Miliband for EU referendum pledge Unite presses Ed Miliband for EU referendum pledge
(about 3 hours later)
Labour's biggest union backer, Unite, is expected to approve a motion at its annual conference calling on the party to offer an "In-Out" EU referendum. Labour's biggest union backer Unite is urging the party to match the Conservatives' pledge to offer an in-out referendum on Europe.
The motion has the backing of the union leadership and is therefore almost certain to be approved. General secretary Len McCluskey said Labour will be a "hostage to fortune" if it does not support a vote.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has all but ruled out a referendum, unless further powers are transferred to Brussels. Labour leader Ed Miliband has all but ruled out a poll unless further powers are transferred to Brussels.
But Unite's leadership fears this stance will be "a millstone" around Labour's neck at the next election. But Unite fears this stance will be a "millstone" around Labour's neck at the next general election.
Sources close to Unite general secretary Len McCluskey say he told his union executive: "It can never be wrong to consult the people." Earlier this week, Unite confirmed it would continue to be Labour's biggest financial backer in the run up to the 2015 election.
They say Unite strongly supports the UK's membership of the EU but there needs to be "a clear the air" moment to give the people an opportunity to have their say. But at its annual conference on Wednesday, Unite delegates backed a motion urging the Labour leadership to reconsider its approach to a referendum on Britain's membership.
Earlier this week, Unite confirmed it would continue to be Labour's biggest financial backer in the run up to next year's general election. 'Exposed'
The Unite conference motion says: "A policy which combines uncritical support for the present working of the European Union while denying any opportunity for a referendum on Britain's membership is likely to be an electoral millstone for Labour at the General Election. Mr McCluskey said silence on the issue would leave the field open "for UKIP and others to exploit people's real concerns in order to win votes for their right-wing agenda".
"Conference therefore calls on the Labour leadership to urgently reconsider its approach to the question of a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, on the grounds that this issue can never be resolved except on the basis of a clear democratic mandate." "I would not like to be Ed Miliband explaining why he is not joining other parties in offering the British people a vote on something that is clearly a growing source of public concern," he said.
"So it is time that the Labour leadership took a new look at the referendum question."
Mr McCluskey said the union did not want a vote because it thought Britain should leave the European Union.
"We seek a referendum rethink in order to help get Labour into power here in Britain," he said.
"Without such a pledge our party will stand exposed. UKIP will be strengthened in some key constituencies. The Tories will hypocritically charge Labour with being anti-democratic.
"In a tight election this can make the difference - so let's give the British people a say on the EU, and when they do, Unite will be there arguing for the benefits of internationalism and a real social Europe."