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Commons battle over EU under way Commons EU Treaty battle begins
(about 2 hours later)
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has opened a rowdy debate on the EU's Lisbon reform treaty, saying it is "good for Britain and good for Europe".Foreign Secretary David Miliband has opened a rowdy debate on the EU's Lisbon reform treaty, saying it is "good for Britain and good for Europe".
Starting what is expected to be 20 days of debate over the next month, he said it did not require a referendum.Starting what is expected to be 20 days of debate over the next month, he said it did not require a referendum.
But he was immediately attacked by Tory MPs and some Labour backbenchers. Tory John Redwood said powers were being given away "needlessly and recklessly". But he was attacked by some Labour backbenchers, and the Tories said the government was "brazenly abrogating" its referendum promise.
The PM signed the Lisbon Treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.The PM signed the Lisbon Treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.
It aims to replace the EU Constitution, which was ditched after being rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005, but on which Labour had promised a referendum. The treaty is meant to replace the EU Constitution, which was abandoned after being rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005, but on which Labour had promised a referendum.
We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe David MilibandForeign secretary Q&A: Lisbon TreatyAnalysis: Political battles We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe David MilibandForeign secretary Q&A: Lisbon TreatyAnalysis: Political battles
Eighteen Labour and four nationalist MPs have signed an amendment calling for a referendum on the document - the government says it is not needed as the treaty is not the same as the constitution.Eighteen Labour and four nationalist MPs have signed an amendment calling for a referendum on the document - the government says it is not needed as the treaty is not the same as the constitution.
The Commons speaker has decided against calling that amendment. A vote on the whole bill is due at about 2200 GMT. But the Commons speaker has decided against calling that amendment.
Opening the debate, Mr Miliband said the Lisbon Treaty was "a fundamentally different treaty" for Britain. A vote on the whole European Union (Amendment) Bill - which ratifies the Lisbon Treaty - is due at about 2200 GMT.
Opening the debate, Mr Miliband said the Lisbon Treaty was "a fundamentally different treaty" to the failed constitution.
Super state 'myth'
"The government is convinced that Britain's membership of and full engagement with the EU is good for Britain and good for Europe," he said."The government is convinced that Britain's membership of and full engagement with the EU is good for Britain and good for Europe," he said.
"We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe.""We believe this treaty is good for Britain and good for Europe."
'Appalling' speech He warned against the Conservative "myth" of a European super state and said the party's policies would lead to "a second decade of institutional inertia that diverts Europe from the real issues that face it".
But he came under immediate attack from former Welsh Secretary John Redwood, who demanded: "Why won't he give us a referendum when his party promised us one and when all the powers we were worried about transferring in the constitution are being given away needlessly and recklessly in this document?" An EU of 27 member states and growing can't operate on the same basis that only just served the needs of an EU of 15 states Edward Davey Lib Dems class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6928737.stm">What are the arguments?
Mr Miliband said it was because "this is a Parliamentary democracy and this is an amending treaty." Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said of Gordon Brown - who is on a visit to India and was not at the debate: "Having signed the treaty but not having the courage to turn up for the ceremony, he wants to force this through Parliament but lacks the courage to vote for it himself."
Senior Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody warned Mr Miliband: "I think you may find yourself alone in that point of view." He said the treaty "brings about fundamental change" in the EU's institutional structure, changes which the government "now pretend are matters of little importance about which the people of this country need not be troubled."
Labour MPs Frank Field and Gisela Stuart were also among those who stood up to question whether the treaty was fundamentally different to the constitution. Labour MPs Frank Field, Gwyneth Dunwoody and Gisela Stuart were among those who stood up to question whether the treaty was fundamentally different to the constitution.
There is no material difference between the provisions on foreign affairs in the Constitutional Treaty...and those in the Lisbon Treaty Foreign affairs committee class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6928737.stm">What are the arguments? 'Goebbels' rant'
Veteran Tory MP Patrick Cormack accused Mr Miliband of making an "appalling" speech and suggested the House be adjourned so Mr Miliband could "go and write a proper one". But for the Liberal Democrats Edward Davey said: "An EU of 27 member states and growing can't operate on the same basis that only just served the needs of an EU of 15 states.
Another Tory MP, Andrew Robathan, was told to retract comments that the foreign secretary's speech was "a rant of propaganda that would be worthy of Goebbels". "Arguments for trimming the bureaucracy and making the institutions less cumbersome ought to be self-evident."
But Labour MP Rob Marris said demands for a referendum were really "a cover" for those who wish to withdraw from Europe. During the lively debate, Tory MP Andrew Robathan was told to retract comments that the foreign secretary's speech was "a rant of propaganda that would be worthy of Goebbels" - Mr Miliband said the comments were "not worthy" of him.
Treaty signed Mr Brown signed the treaty hours after the official ceremony in December
The Tories will vote against the bill, but the Lib Dems will vote in favour - meaning there is little chance of a defeat. The Tories will vote against the bill, but the Lib Dems, who support a referendum on the wider issue of Britain's EU membership, will vote in favour of this bill - meaning there is little chance of a defeat.
Ministers argue that no referendum is needed as the treaty merely amends the EU's existing constitution, rather than overwriting it - as the failed constitution would have done.Ministers argue that no referendum is needed as the treaty merely amends the EU's existing constitution, rather than overwriting it - as the failed constitution would have done.
Europe Minister Jim Murphy has dismissed claims that up to 100 Labour MPs are unhappy with the refusal to hold a public vote.Europe Minister Jim Murphy has dismissed claims that up to 100 Labour MPs are unhappy with the refusal to hold a public vote.
Mr Brown signed the treaty hours after the official ceremony in December The prime minister signed the treaty in December, but it has to be ratified by all EU parliaments before coming into force.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed the treaty, as did other EU leaders, in December, but it has to be ratified by all EU parliaments before coming into force. On Sunday the Commons foreign affairs committee said parts of the Lisbon Treaty were no different to the abandoned EU Constitution, and accused the government of publicly downplaying the importance of some new EU institutions and roles.
The Commons foreign affairs committee has criticised the way the government has represented the foreign policy aspects of the treaty.
Its report, entitled Foreign Policy Aspects Of The Treaty Of Lisbon, claims there are only two small differences in the area of foreign policy between the treaty and the abandoned constitution.
These were the addition of two non-legally binding declarations proposed by the UK and the change of the title minister for foreign affairs to high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
But it welcomed the creation of such new roles, which it said were "major innovations in the EU's foreign policy-making machinery" which could give the EU a "more coherent development and implementation of external policy".