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Brown under fire over EU treaty Brown under fire over EU treaty
(about 3 hours later)
The Tories have accused Gordon Brown of running scared because a diary clash will see him miss the official signing of the new EU reform treaty in Lisbon.The Tories have accused Gordon Brown of running scared because a diary clash will see him miss the official signing of the new EU reform treaty in Lisbon.
It is designed to replace the abandoned EU constitution, on which Labour had promised a referendum, but critics say the treaty is the same in substance.It is designed to replace the abandoned EU constitution, on which Labour had promised a referendum, but critics say the treaty is the same in substance.
The Tories said the prime minister was "gutless", "indecisive" and had broken election promises on a referendum.The Tories said the prime minister was "gutless", "indecisive" and had broken election promises on a referendum.
The government says the documents are different so no vote is needed.The government says the documents are different so no vote is needed.
The PM is set to be grilled by MPs on the Commons liaison committee at the same time as the ceremony in the Portuguese capital.The PM is set to be grilled by MPs on the Commons liaison committee at the same time as the ceremony in the Portuguese capital.
'Dithering''Dithering'
He will later join EU leaders for lunch and sign the treaty.He will later join EU leaders for lunch and sign the treaty.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said Mr Brown's signature on the "renamed EU constitution will not have the British people's democratic support".Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said Mr Brown's signature on the "renamed EU constitution will not have the British people's democratic support".
Gordon Brown has even managed to turn something as simple as signing the EU treaty into a national embarrassment William HagueShadow foreign secretaryGordon Brown has even managed to turn something as simple as signing the EU treaty into a national embarrassment William HagueShadow foreign secretary
"This treaty didn't feature in Labour's or any other party's election manifesto," he said.
"British voters were promised a referendum on the EU constitution and just about everyone agrees that this treaty is in substance the same."British voters were promised a referendum on the EU constitution and just about everyone agrees that this treaty is in substance the same.
"Gordon Brown has even managed to turn something as simple as signing the EU treaty into a national embarrassment. "Gordon Brown has even managed to turn something as simple as signing the EU treaty into a national embarrassment."
"What will other EU leaders think of a prime minister who dithers for a week about whether he dares to be photographed putting pen to paper? He said Mr Brown had "dithered" over the signing ceremony, and accused him of "indecision, gutlessness and broken election promises".
"Does he think that other European prime ministers don't have diary commitments too? Instead of leadership, we have indecision, gutlessness and broken election promises. Britain deserves better." 'Still a constitution'
A majority (of the public) feel it and the treaty are one and the same. That can't be dismissed - it's a matter of honour Andrew MackinlayLabour MP
Mr Hague's attack was followed by a warning from Labour MPs on the Commons foreign affairs committee that ministers were failing to convince the public there was no need for a referendum.Mr Hague's attack was followed by a warning from Labour MPs on the Commons foreign affairs committee that ministers were failing to convince the public there was no need for a referendum.
Labour's Fabian Hamilton said: "The problem we have is that much of this Lisbon treaty is very, very different to the constitution on which we guaranteed a referendum.Labour's Fabian Hamilton said: "The problem we have is that much of this Lisbon treaty is very, very different to the constitution on which we guaranteed a referendum.
"But that is not the public perception.""But that is not the public perception."
Labour colleague Andrew Mackinlay said the issue was dilemma, especially for Labour MPs who had signed up to a manifesto saying there would be a referendum. At the moment we are punching below our weight Peter MandelsonEU trade commissioner
Tory MP Sir John Stanley claimed the government had been "perpetuating a deceit on the British people" by maintaining there was a significant difference between the constitution and the treaty. Lib Dem MP Richard Younger-Ross said: "This is still a constitution, even though it is by a different name and a different structure."
Lib Dem Richard Younger-Ross said: "This is still a constitution, even though it is by a different name and a different structure."
Red-lines
Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is expected to sign the treaty on the UK's behalf during the official signing ceremony, said: "We must deal with the reality, not the perception. The reality is the treaty is not the constitution."Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is expected to sign the treaty on the UK's behalf during the official signing ceremony, said: "We must deal with the reality, not the perception. The reality is the treaty is not the constitution."
And EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson said it would allow the EU to play a bigger role on the world stage: "There are continental-sized powers we either want to engage with or square up to, whether it be China, India or the US - and at the moment we are punching below our weight.
"We are not taken as seriously as we could be and will be as a result of this reform treaty."
EU president
The new treaty is planned to replace the failed EU constitution, rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005.The new treaty is planned to replace the failed EU constitution, rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005.
It will greatly alter the way members govern themselves, BBC correspondents say. It creates an EU president and a vastly more powerful foreign policy chief for the union's 27 nations.It will greatly alter the way members govern themselves, BBC correspondents say. It creates an EU president and a vastly more powerful foreign policy chief for the union's 27 nations.
At the same time the document scraps veto powers in many policy areas.At the same time the document scraps veto powers in many policy areas.
Once it is signed, the treaty still has to be ratified by the UK and all other member countries before coming into force.Once it is signed, the treaty still has to be ratified by the UK and all other member countries before coming into force.
Both Mr Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair, have said the new treaty protects Britain's so-called red line issues on human and social rights, foreign policy and tax and benefits.Both Mr Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair, have said the new treaty protects Britain's so-called red line issues on human and social rights, foreign policy and tax and benefits.
The prime minister's spokesman said Mr Brown's lack of presence for the ceremony was "not a particularly significant issue" as previous EU treaties had been signed by foreign secretaries on behalf of the UK.The prime minister's spokesman said Mr Brown's lack of presence for the ceremony was "not a particularly significant issue" as previous EU treaties had been signed by foreign secretaries on behalf of the UK.