Brown nog steeds onder druk over EU- verdrag (en)
UK prime minister Gordon Brown is facing an increasing rebellion among MPs over his decision not to hold a referendum on the new EU treaty.
Labour MP Ian Davidson wrote to Mr Brown on Tuesday (28 August) on behalf of the rebel Labour camp demanding a referendum unless some 12 changes are made to current outline for a new treaty.
He told Reuters news agency he believed up to 120 labour MPs from the 353 are in favour of a referendum.
Among the changes they want, is keeping the current voting system instead of the one proposed in the treaty. They are also opposed to the creation of an EU diplomatic service.
Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph, which on its website is also campaigning for a referendum, has reported that the Labour rebels may be joined by some from the Liberal Democrat party.
It reports that Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell refused to rule out a referendum until the UK parliament has had time to look at the final treaty. He has also been pressured by younger Lib Dems on the party's traditionally pro-Europe stance.
The new treaty - known as the Reform Treaty - is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks and wrapped up by the end of the year.
It will replace the original EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in referendums two years ago.
The Labour government argues the new document is sufficiently different for it not to have a referendum. Opposition Conservatives however, have mounted a strong campaign arguing it maintains most of the constitution's features, so it should be put to a public poll - Labour had promised to have a referendum on the previous EU constitution.