[autom.vertaling] de Britse Tory organiseren petitierecht over ontwerpgrondwet (en)

British Conservatives are putting pressure on Prime Minister Tony Blair to call a referendum on the draft European Constitution by organising petitions on the issue across Britain.

Despite the fact that Mr Blair has repeatedly rejected calls for a referendum on the draft Constitution, the Tories are still insisting that the public be allowed to vote on this issue.

Fight every way we can

According to the BBC, the Conservatives will set out the details of the campaign today (8 October) at their party conference in Blackpool.

The shadow foreign secretary, Michael Ancram will say in his speech today that the Conservatives "will fight this damaging constitution in every way we have got".

"For a start, the British people have a right to say 'yes' or 'no' in a referendum", Mr Ancram is expected to say. "Even this prime minister cannot ignore forever the collective voice of the British people", he will add.

Wait for results

The British government has stated earlier that a referendum on the draft Constitution is not needed, because it will not fundamentally change the way Britain is governed.

But not all the Tories are keen on the idea of calling a referendum. According to the Guardian, pro-European MP Ian Taylor warned that his party would look "ridiculous" if it called for a vote, before waiting for the results of the intergovernmental conference.

The Conservative party conference in Blackpool will end tomorrow (9 October).