Tories call for EU referendum

Tories today launched a national petition to demand a referendum on the new European constitution.

Shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram called on the British people to send a message to Prime Minister Tony Blair that they want the right to be consulted on the treaty.

Some other European Union states including Ireland, Portugal and Spain - are holding referendums on the constitution, but Mr Blair insists that it is not necessary, as the document will not fundamentally alter Britain's relations with the EU.

But Tories argue that it will mean an unacceptable transfer of sovereignty from Westminster to Brussels, with the creation of a European president and foreign minister.

Opinion polls have shown large majorities in favour of a referendum, and Tory calls for a vote have been echoed by the Liberal Democrats, who back the constitution.

Mr Ancram told the BBC: "I am calling for a parliamentary petition because it is absolutely certain that the vast majority of the British people believe there should be a referendum.

"The major parties other than the Labour Party - although a lot of them disagree with the Government - also think there should be a referendum.

"There's going to be referendums in Spain, Portugal, Ireland and probably France. All those people are going to be trusted to say Yes or No to this fundamental move in the EU, only not the British.

"What I'm saying is, let's give the British people the chance to say to the Prime Minister, through a formal petition to Parliament, that we want the right to say Yes or No."

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