BBC NEWS | Politics | Lib Dems call for EU referendum Quote:
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.
Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell earlier this week refused to back calls for a referendum on the EU treaty.
But he said the public deserved an "honest debate" on Europe - and "that means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU".
His call comes as the Lib Dems head for their annual conference, which gets under way on Sunday.
Sir Menzies told BBC News 24: "I want to argue the case for Europe. I am a pro-European.
"That case has gone by default too often in the past 10 years of this Labour government".
He said he wanted an "out and out debate" to flush out Eurosceptics on the Conservative benches who had "taken comfort" in that party's call for a vote on the EU treaty.
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague, for the Conservatives, said Sir Menzies was trying to cover up divisions on Europe in his own party.
"This proposal is a clear sign of desperation from Ming Campbell, whose party is so split on this issue.
"The Lib Dems promised a referendum on the EU Constitution.
"They should concentrate on making sure that this promise is kept, instead of producing ill-thought out distractions on the eve of a difficult party conference."
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Its about time someone said this, but im not sure it will earn the lib dems much, i mean who really is going to vote for the Lib Dems who havent won an election in 97 years.