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22/10/2007
Brown Defends EU Treaty In Commons
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended the new EU Reform Treaty in the House of Commons.
Mr Brown told the Commons on Monday that MPs would be given a chance to debate the treaty and asked if they tought it should be ratified.
However, his government are facing calls from the Conservatives to hold a referendum on the document.
Mr Brown has said that the treaty does not have the constitutional significance of the document on which former Prime Minister Tony Blair promised a referendum would be held.
However, the Tories have argued that the treaty is almost identical to the former document, which was rejected by voters in both France and Denmark in 2005.
Mr Brown and his ministers are planning a line-by-line debate on the treaty, a process which is expected to take up to three months.
The treaty is due to be formally signed in December.
The Conservatives are hoping to inflict a defeat on Mr Brown over the referendum, but this is looking unlikely, as they would need the support of both the Liberal Democrats and Labour rebels.
Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, both contenders in the Liberal Democrat leadership contest, have both said that they would not support calls for a referendum.
The EU Reform Treaty has to be ratified by all 27 EU states by 2009 in order for it to come into effect.
So far, Ireland is the only country which has said that it will hold a referendum, while other countries are planning to ratify the treaty through their national parliaments.
(KMcA)
Mr Brown told the Commons on Monday that MPs would be given a chance to debate the treaty and asked if they tought it should be ratified.
However, his government are facing calls from the Conservatives to hold a referendum on the document.
Mr Brown has said that the treaty does not have the constitutional significance of the document on which former Prime Minister Tony Blair promised a referendum would be held.
However, the Tories have argued that the treaty is almost identical to the former document, which was rejected by voters in both France and Denmark in 2005.
Mr Brown and his ministers are planning a line-by-line debate on the treaty, a process which is expected to take up to three months.
The treaty is due to be formally signed in December.
The Conservatives are hoping to inflict a defeat on Mr Brown over the referendum, but this is looking unlikely, as they would need the support of both the Liberal Democrats and Labour rebels.
Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, both contenders in the Liberal Democrat leadership contest, have both said that they would not support calls for a referendum.
The EU Reform Treaty has to be ratified by all 27 EU states by 2009 in order for it to come into effect.
So far, Ireland is the only country which has said that it will hold a referendum, while other countries are planning to ratify the treaty through their national parliaments.
(KMcA)
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22 January 2008
Government Wins First Battle Over EU Treaty
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has cleared the first hurdle of the controversial EU reform treaty despite a minor dispute by the Liberal Democrats to attempt to block the Tories to force a referendum. Asked if the Lib Dems would allow the Commons to vote through a referendum by abstaining, he replied: "I certainly hope not. No".
Government Wins First Battle Over EU Treaty
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has cleared the first hurdle of the controversial EU reform treaty despite a minor dispute by the Liberal Democrats to attempt to block the Tories to force a referendum. Asked if the Lib Dems would allow the Commons to vote through a referendum by abstaining, he replied: "I certainly hope not. No".
06 June 2005
EU referendum plans put on hold in UK
The UK referendum on the EU constitution is to be put on hold, it has been announced. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the House of Commons today that it would not be “sensible” to set a date for a referendum. However, he said that the situation would be kept under review.
EU referendum plans put on hold in UK
The UK referendum on the EU constitution is to be put on hold, it has been announced. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the House of Commons today that it would not be “sensible” to set a date for a referendum. However, he said that the situation would be kept under review.
14 December 2007
EU Leaders Sign Treaty In Lisbon
EU leaders have signed a treaty in Lisbon, aimed at modernising the 27-member bloc’s institutions. The signing of the treaty will pave the way for its ratification by MPs in a Commons vote next year. Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived late for the signing of the European Union Reform Treaty due to a prior engagement at Westminster.
EU Leaders Sign Treaty In Lisbon
EU leaders have signed a treaty in Lisbon, aimed at modernising the 27-member bloc’s institutions. The signing of the treaty will pave the way for its ratification by MPs in a Commons vote next year. Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived late for the signing of the European Union Reform Treaty due to a prior engagement at Westminster.
01 June 2005
Dutch vote on EU constitution
Voters in the Netherlands are heading to the polls today to vote on the EU constitution amid speculation that the result will be a ‘No’ vote.
Dutch vote on EU constitution
Voters in the Netherlands are heading to the polls today to vote on the EU constitution amid speculation that the result will be a ‘No’ vote.
02 June 2005
Dutch reject EU constitution
Dutch voters have rejected the EU constitution, the second defeat for the proposed treaty in a week. According to unofficial results, over 60% of voters in the Netherlands referendum voted against the constitution. The result follows the devastating result in France at the weekend, when around 55% of the voters rejected the treaty.
Dutch reject EU constitution
Dutch voters have rejected the EU constitution, the second defeat for the proposed treaty in a week. According to unofficial results, over 60% of voters in the Netherlands referendum voted against the constitution. The result follows the devastating result in France at the weekend, when around 55% of the voters rejected the treaty.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
