Lords reject EU referendum call

Lords reject EU referendum call

The House of Lords has voted against holding a referendum on the EU Treaty - a day before the Irish Republic's national ballot on the agreement.

The Tories argued the treaty was largely similar to the discarded EU Constitution - on which a referendum was promised by all major parties.

But the government and Lib Dems said it was not needed as the treaty would not alter the UK's own constitution.

The Lords vote - by 280 to 218 - clears the way for the bill ratifying the EU treaty to become law next week.

But, during the debate, Conservative Lord Howell said: "What has happened is that the treaty drafters and this government have achieved an illusion by using a methodological device which is used to say the constitution position is abandoned."

He added: "The public is being hoodwinked and the public knows that as well." But, during the debate, Conservative Lord Howell said: "What has happened is that the treaty drafters and this government have achieved an illusion by using a methodological device which is used to say the constitution position is abandoned."