Delegates to back public vote

Unions vote for EU referendum

Unions vote for EU referendum

TUC delegates today voted to lobby the government to hold a referendum on the EU treaty.

Delegates backed a motion from the GMB calling for a referendum to highlight, but rejected a motion by the RMT which would have required the TUC to campaign for a no vote.

The GMB union is calling for a referendum to highlight its opposition to the UK’s opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which it argues will compromise workers’ rights and prevent them from using EU law to appeal against unsatisfactory conditions.

The RMT had gone further and wanted to the TUC to actively campaign for a ‘no’ vote in the event of a referendum.

TUC support now puts further pressure on the prime minister to concede to a referendum.

The vote is embarrassing Gordon Brown, as he previously said he was confident the TUC would support the government.

Ministers claim a referendum is not necessary because the EU treaty is not the same as the failed constitution, for which Tony Blair did promise a public vote. They point to the opt-outs secured at the EU summit in June as proof the treaty is not a constitutional document.

However, it is precisely these opt-outs which many within the union movement object to.

Pressure has been mounting on Mr Brown to call a referendum, with constant demands from David Cameron for a public vote.

Last week, Mr Brown faced dissent within his own party, with the launch of an all-party campaign for an EU referendum, supported by Labour MPs including Kate Hooey, Gisela Stuart and Frank Fields.

Today he gains support from Menzies Campbell, who said a referendum is not necessary as long as the treaty is approved in parliament.

The Lib Dem leader told the Financial Times: “My judgement is a referendum is not necessary on this document.

“But if we were to have a referendum, then it is worth considering a more fundamental referendum, in a sense of being in or out of the EU.”

With Labour MPs backing the referendum campaign, Mr Brown could find himself grateful for Lib Dem support in parliament – where ministers say the treaty should be approved.

David Cameron said yesterday he would use parliamentary dissent to push for a referendum.

He will use an opposition day debate in October to vote on a referendum, vowing to “push the government all the way.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Cameron said the government had promised a referendum on a constitution.

He said: “Labour MPs should stick to what they promised. They should vote for our motion when we bring it forward in the House of Commons.”