Cameron pledges 'referendum lock' on EU
David Cameron says Tories would create 'referendum lock' on any potential transfer of law to EU
Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 04:53
By Matthew Champion.
David Cameron has pledged new legislation to prevent the transfer of law to the European Union without a referendum.
In a week in which the Conservative party leader finally admitted defeat in his party campaign for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, he said an incoming Tory government would put Britain on a par with other EU governments with a UK sovereignty bill.
Mr Cameron's hand was forced to unveil a new EU policy after the Czech Republic became the 27th and last member of the bloc to sign the Lisbon Treaty, which is expected to come into law in December.
Speaking in central London, the Tory leader said Czech president Vaclav Klaus had left him with no choice but to rule out a referendum, despite offering a "cast-iron" guarantee in 2007 to do just that.
"It is no longer a treaty, it has been incorporated into European law," Mr Cameron said. "The new posts of president and foreign minister will be filled.
"We cannot hold a referendum and make these posts of the Lisbon Treaty magically disappear, just as we cannot stop the sun rising in the morning."
Comparing the "betrayal" of the government not to hold a referendum on the treaty to furore over the expenses scandal, Mr Cameron vowed to "never let it happen again".
He said he would amend the European Communities Act if he became prime minister to prevent the transfer of law to the EU without a referendum.
This "referendum lock to which only [the electorate] holds the key" would cover not just treaties but any future attempt to take Britain into the Euro.
"It would be a major constitutional development, but I believe it's the only way to reassure the British people that powers cannot be given away without their explicit approval in a referendum," he said.
"Power is not politicians to give away, it belongs to the people. At the next general election we will challenge the other political parties to accept the referendum lock and pledge never to reverse it."
Mr Cameron met with Tory MPs before this afternoon's speech where he was expected to come under fire from the right of his party for seemingly reneging on a two-year-old policy to hold a referendum.
Writing for the Sun in September 2007 Mr Cameron said: "Today, I will give this cast-iron guarantee: If I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations. No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum."
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague, the key architect of Tory policy on Europe, said yesterday it was a "bad day for democracy" as Czech president Vaclav Klaus signed the treaty.
Former shadow home secretary David Davis, who ran against Mr Cameron for the party leadership in 2005, has already broken ranks to criticise his leader.
Writing for the Daily Mail, Mr Davis said a commitment to hold a referendum on the treaty within three months should be the Tories' top legislative priority if they win the next election.
Commenting, business secretary Lord Mandelson told Sky News: "It looks as if that cast-iron guarantee has become very rusty indeed. I don't think he's being entirely honest with the British people."
During prime minister's questions today, former home secretary David Blunkett said Mr Cameron's cast-iron guarantees were "made of plywood".
Mr Cameron is also unveiling plans to repatriate social and employment powers from Brussels, effectively restoring the British opt-out from the social chapter, if the Tories win the next general election.
That would require the agreement of all 27 EU members, however, with Mr Cameron potentially threatening to veto negotiations on an EU budget unless they accede to his demands.