Lib Dems push for EU referendum

The Liberal Democrats have urged MPs to back a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.

As the Commons debated the government's foreign affairs and defence policy on Monday, as laid out in last week's Queen's speech, acting Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said it is time for an "honest debate" on the issue.

While the move stands little chance of success, the call is also designed to wrong-foot the Conservative Party, which is calling instead for a referendum only on the ratification of the EU Reform treaty.

Legislation to ratify the treaty, which critics say is largely the same as the failed proposal for an EU constitution, will form part of the government's legislative programme in the coming year.

Cable argued that the EU "has changed beyond recognition from the EEC that Britain originally joined in 1973".

"No-one under the age of 50 - including the current foreign secretary - has had a say on Britain's membership of the European Union," he added.

"An in-out referendum would give people a proper and honest debate about the future of Britain's relationship with the EU.

"The Conservatives have indulged in the worst kind of anti-European populism, calling for referendums on individual treaties to mask their own divisions and the wishes of many of their own MPs to leave the European Union altogether.

"Gordon Brown appears scared to make the case for Europe.

"The Liberal Democrats are ready to make the positive case for Europe in a proper public debate about our membership, and we trust the people to make a decision about whether we should stay in or get out."