Brown running scared of EU treaty referendum

[Nicholas]

GORDON Brown was yesterday accused of breaking a *“personal” promise to give voters a referendum on Europe.

The Prime Minister clashed with Tory leader David Cam*eron over the Govern*ment’s refusal to give the public a
say on the European Union Treaty.

During heated exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Brown repeatedly declined to say how close the treaty is to the failed EU Constitution.

“Why is he afraid to trust the people and hold that referendum?” taunted Mr Cameron .

The Tory leader used their final weekly Commons clash before the 11-week summer break to go on the offensive over the Government’s latest surrender to Brussels. Critics claim the EU treaty, signed by Tony Blair last month in virtually his last act as Prime Minister, will lead to an increase in Brussels *meddling in British affairs.

Mr Cameron seized on analysis which shows the draft EU treaty is virtually identical to the scrapped Constitution which was dumped after being rejected by polls in France and Holland.

The Tory leader told Mr Brown: “The Irish prime minister says 90 per cent of the Constitution remains in the treaty.

“The Spanish foreign minister says it’s 98 per cent. What figure would the Prime Minis*ter put on it?” But Mr Brown hit back by accusing Mr Cameron of ditching his drive for the political centre ground and caving in to the Tory right.Tories claim the treaty fundamentally changes Britain’s relationship with the EU and therefore should be subject to a vote.


Brown running scared of EU treaty referendum