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Brown defends EU deal as Cameron accuses him of 'treating British people like fools'
Last updated at 14:52pm on 19.10.07The EU will rule out further institutional change "for many years", Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today as he welcomed agreement on the controversial reform treaty.
Mr Brown said the Union would set out its "new priorities" as he faced reporters hours after securing a deal he said preserved the UK's "red lines".
"I believe the significance of this summit is that there will be new priorities for Europe," he said as he bid to focus attention away from demands for a referendum on the treaty.
He went on: "The Presidency will say today, with a view to decisions at the December European Council, they will consult about a new deceleration of new priorities for the European Union.
"They will say that these new priorities are the agenda of globalisation and how we can all meet it and they will say that they will consult on a declaration, ruling out further institutional change for many years."
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Pleased: Mr Brown with Foreign Secretary David Miliband get their hands on the treaty
Conservative leader David Cameron: Brown is treating the public llike 'fools'
Mr Brown said the UK would also join forces with France and Germany to propose new measures to avoid the sort of financial turbulence seen this summer.
They would include "greater transparency" for money markets and a better early warning system.
The 27 heads of state and government struck the deal after late-night wrangling over the number of Italian MEPs and Poland's voting strength in the reformed European Union.
The meeting in Lisbon, with Portugal holding the rotating presidency of the EU, reached an agreement which ends a political crisis triggered by the rejection of a proposed constitution by voters in France and the Netherlands.
Conservative leader David Cameron told BBC Breakfast that the red lines were "complete red herrings" and said: "This is, once again, Gordon Brown and his Government treating the British people like fools."
In the Commons today Mr Brown was accused of having "sold out British interests" by agreeing the controversial treaty.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to make a statement to MPs on Monday about the Lisbon summit where EU leaders struck a deal today over the text of the reform treaty after late-night wrangling.
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Gordon Brown and Portuguese prime minister Jose Socrates yesterday
The Prime Minister went ahead with the most fundamental transfer of power to the EU for at least 15 years - still insisting British voters wouldn't have a say on the matter.
He took the biggest gamble of his short Premiership over a dinner of vegetable crepes, grilled sole and chocolate cake with fellow EU leaders in Lisbon.
The Prime Minister said: "The reform treaty has now been agreed. The red lines have been secured. The British national interest has been protected.
"It is now time for Europe to move on and devote all our attentions to the issues that matter to the people of Europe - economic growth, jobs, climate change and security."
Mr Brown said he was ready to "have the debate" over the Treaty but made clear he would not bow to demands for a referendum, claiming he had protected Britain's national interest with a series of opt-outs.
In his first appearance on the European stage as Prime Minister, Mr Brown insisted it was time for Britain to "move on" from the arguments it had had for "many, many decades" over changes to the EU's powers and structure.
The Prime Minister will try to see off growing demands for a referendum by promising between six weeks and three months of Parliamentary discussion of the treaty early next year.
He said there would be a "very substantial number of days we will debate this in Parliament... and people can judge for themselves whether the national interest has been protected."
Barring last-minute wrangles, the blueprint - which will cut Britain's right to block EU proposals by 30 per cent, and will create the first permanent EU president and establish a new EU diplomatic service - was due to be finalised late last night.
It will be formally signed in December in Brussels and then go to Parliament in February, where Labour will steamroller it through.
Britain will lose its veto in areas including the powers of a European police force, energy, transport, employment, financial regulation and parts of foreign policy.
The Prime Minister pressed ahead despite polls showing he is opposed by seven in ten Britons and warnings that the Government's "red lines" are not worth the paper they are written on.
But he will hope a long parliamentary debate will divide the Conservatives, who have a troubled history over Europe, and that the public will largely have forgotten the row by the time of the next election in 2009 or 2010.
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Gordon Brown, right, laughs with Italian prime minister Romano Prodi, centre, during a pre-summit meeting in Lisbon yesterday
He insisted again last night that the treaty is not the same as the EU constitution, which collapsed in 2005 after being rejected by voters in France and Holland.
But he suggested the Lisbon Treaty would be the last major institutional change he would be prepared to accept, telling EU leaders they had to stop "navel-gazing" and deal with issues people were concerned with such as prosperity, tacking terrorism, climate change and financial stability.
Tory leader David Cameron plans to make the Prime Minister's refusal to honour the pledge central to his attack on Mr Brown as a man who cannot be trusted.
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The EU Parliament in Brussels
His shadow foreign secretary William Hague said last night a "huge amount" of power was being surrendered under the new treaty.
"(Gordon Brown) still claims that because the name 'constitution' has been dropped this treaty is different, even though the European Scrutiny Committee has told him his argument is misleading," he said.
"He claims that this treaty is about making a free-trading Europe work better, when he knows that it downgrades the importance of free competition.
"Every poll shows the vast majority of the British people want the referendum he promised and do not believe his arguments. No wonder.
"His spurious red lines do not cover most of the renamed EU constitution and can easily be got round.
"Now that all his arguments against a referendum have crumbled he is desperately trying to change the subject."
The Tories last night intensified the pressure by launching a nationwide poster campaign with the slogan: "Who gets a say on the EU treaty? Not you - just Gordon."
UK Indpendence Party leader Nigel Farage said: "Steve McClaren lost one football match in Europe and faces the sack.
"Gordon Brown is about to lose a whole country to Europe and faces three more years in power. In a sensible world, this would be reversed."
Mr Brown will today seek to deflect attention by picking a fight with France and Germany over protectionism and anticompetitive policies on the Continent.
• The vast majority of EU governments will rubber stamp the treaty without any public debate about its implications.
Only Ireland has announced it will hold a referendum.
Three governments remain undecided about whether to hold one - in Denmark, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
The rest have ruled out a vote by their electorate and will instead ratify the document in parliament.
In only a quarter of the bloc's 27 countries has there been any press coverage or public debate about the treaty and what it means.
The issues have been aired only in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK.
And in all those countries - bar europhile Finland - the result has been demand for a referendum from campaigners and opposition politicians.
How many citizens of the remaining member states are in favour of the treaty is impossible to judge because there have been no national opinion polls and little media interest, leading to widespread ignorance.
Research by the Mail was backed up by a Financial Times/Harris poll yesterday which asked voters in Britain, France, Italy, Spain and Germany whether they wanted a chance to vote on the treaty - and found 75 per cent do.
In a poll by the Daily Mail, 80 per cent of respondents said they wanted a referendum on the issue.
Leaders of all those countries, however, intend to ratify the treaty through their parliaments, denying voters a direct voice.
• An EU-wide National Service programme will be created under the treaty. An article in it paves the way for Brussels to establish a "peace corps" in support of the EU's aims and objectives.
The role of volunteers will be established using majority voting, meaning Britain will not be able to block any measures.
Eurosceptics warn the move will create a "youth movement" similar to the American Peace Corps, which could be used to foster a common EU identity.
Reader views (45)
Colin (Essex-man) - speak for yourself.
- Marianne, SW France, 19/10/2007 19:22
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Oh dear! And now he's already lining Blair up for the EU Presidency - have these people no shame - they are absolutely transparent in all they do. Also the Foreign Secretary looks like a Head Prefect - is he up to the job?
- Robert, Kirk Ella, East Yorks, 19/10/2007 18:38
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How depressing to see such a level of xenophia from so many people (yes, I mean Mick Wright, Marianne the ex-pat and Annabelle). Gordon Brown, whatever his politics, is a duly-elected BRITISH MP, who happens to be a Scot (just like the founder of the Bank of England, the inventor of the television, the telephone, the steam engine, the pneumatic tyre etc etc etc).
As for the Treaty, how many of its detractors have actually read it? How many Britons, if asked at a referendum, could make an informed decision for or against?
I thought not.
That's what we elect politicians to do for us!
- Sam Webster, London, 19/10/2007 16:31
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How can Crash Gordon laugh like that? He has bottled any election and is too coward to call a referendum and he stands among European leaders out very poorly indeed.
- Stevo, London, 19/10/2007 15:41
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I totally agree wiith Robert, it's time to throw Brown out. I'm fed up of people making decisions on my behalf without giving me a chance to agree or disagree. Down with Gordo!
- Moo, South London, UK, 19/10/2007 14:59
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Surely there cannot be so many people that were taken in sufficiently by the Labour Manifesto pledge to have actually voted for them.
I am beginning to suspect that many of the comments are been written by people who actually did not believe the Labour pledge and voted Conservative in the last election. However, if that is the case, I am at a loss to understand their motives. Am I missing something?
- David Dee, Canterbury, 19/10/2007 13:55
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Who does Gordon think he is to give away our independence. Clearly he now wants to be premier of the EU. He is prepared to pursue his own goals at all costs! What more can we expect from the man who has wrecked our economy and stolen our pensions.
- Rachel, London, 19/10/2007 13:05
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...but remember that he'll call an election just after making some popularist gesture, and far too many people will be bought off by some cynical bribe and vote these wasters in again! It's already happened with Tony.
- Mike, London, 19/10/2007 12:48
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What we need to know is whether the Tories can or intend to hold a referendum on the EU Treaty once they get into power, two years or ten years it does not matter.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague, Czech Republic, 19/10/2007 12:33
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Brown is willing to gamble our national independence in order to split the Tories over Europe. That's all he cares about - winning the next election and besting the opposition.
- Charles, London, 19/10/2007 11:27
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It's about time this country got 'real' and got rid of this shameful government. They haven't a clue what is going on in England and find out 4 years after the public have told them what is happening to a once great country.
- Peter Bell, London, England, 19/10/2007 11:26
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If there was a referendum, how would the British public vote...
If NO, what would be the next step? There has to be changes to EU voting processes as the EU has expanded considerably, so changes have to happen. Be good for the Tories top outline the format of a treaty that thye would support...
- Martin, Guildford, 19/10/2007 10:55
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My understanding always was that a democratic country government were there for the people of that particular country and to represent what the majority wanted - obviously this is not the case with the Labour Government. They decide and go ahead regardless. I hope that now finally people will realise that we are heading away from a democratic country more and more every day Labour is still in power.
- Jk, London, 19/10/2007 10:21
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Gordon and the labour party have shown how arrogant and out of touch they are. They have just signed their own suicide note for when the election comes. How can anyone trust them now.
- Nigel, Wimbledon, 19/10/2007 09:56
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Time after time they pretend they are having tough negotiations until the early hours, then they sign what had been agreed well before the meeting; and present it as triumph! Gutless Gordon was not going to spoil his first party as a member of the gang by doing anything as vulgar as standing up for Britain. So much for his promise to listen to the people. So much for not letting us down. He does not care a fig about the people, because he thinks we are too stupid to understand high matters of state which are best left to clever people like him. I hope those Labour MPs who still have an ounce of integrity will speak up for the people they represent.
- Beatriz, London, 19/10/2007 09:51
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This can only strengthen the arguments of those who argue that we should leave the European Union. In particular, I would observe that as the European parliament appears to have no power to block directives that individual parliaments are obliged to implement, any and all power given away to the European Union is an erosion of democracy itself!
- Keith Simpson, Wareham, England, 19/10/2007 09:23
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Well he keeps on ignoring the UK populace... You think this Crash Gordon could ever win an election?!
- Georgie, London, 19/10/2007 08:22
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Good on ya Gordo ( fellow scot ),
Power in Scotland for Scots, Power in England for Scots,
Send some more power up north and more Oil tax north as well.
- Baza, Glasgow, 19/10/2007 04:34
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Let us hope and pray that following the next election, the Tory government will be able to undo much of the great harm and pervasive damage that Labour have inflicted on our country for ten years plus.
- Robert Ducksworth, UK, 19/10/2007 02:41
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As sleazy and dishonest as Blair. What an advert for the Labour Pary!
- Lezl, London, UK, 19/10/2007 02:21
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Stop treating us with such contempt and give us a vote!
- Paul Lacon, London, 18/10/2007 22:51
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Gordon Brown isn't in the least bothered that 70% of the country want a referendum, because once he's signed we become a global police state and do as we are told.
- Jeremy Gibson, Margate, UK, 18/10/2007 21:00
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I believe that Brown will be forced into a climb down over this. In fact it may well be labour's "Poll Tax."
This is an issue of democracy. People may argue about the benefits and pitfalls of democracy and it certainly isn't a perfect system but its the best thing we have got. We have done our best to as a nation to protect and advance democracy throughout the world, yet our Prime Minister now undermines our own democracy.
Brown claims that this treaty is not the old constitution, yet most of the other leaders say it is, as do many of the people involved in its drafting. Anyone with as much as a cursory knowledge of the EU, its laws and the decisions of the ECJ, knows full well that Brown and Millibands "Red Lines" are about as impregnable as a sand castle. It is simply a question of time until the EU horsetraders make the first breach of the no-go areas. After that the walls will come tumbling down very quickly.
Not holding a referendum will be electoral suicide.
- Tony Homewood, Wakefield, England, 18/10/2007 19:56
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I was in attendance at the meeting that took place on Tuesday in Crigglestone to ask the Parish Council to press ahead for a referendum on the EU issue. To be honest we weren't sure as to how it would be recieved when we held the meeting and having leafleted every house in the Parish, we were convinced that we would see perhaps an 80% (ish) "yes" vote for a referendum. We were however, stunned to get a unanimous "yes" vote from the public. This included cross party support from the Green Party which was vocalised at the meeting. However we do not wish to push the Parish into financial upheaval just to press for a vote.
- Mrs Freya Bletsoe, Wakefield, England., 18/10/2007 19:15
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Crash Gordon does not like to listen to anyone. He is a people-shy shallow character I think.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 18/10/2007 18:16
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What is the point of a referendum when 99% of those voting would not have a clue what they were voting for or against.
- Colin, Barking, Essex, 18/10/2007 17:58
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Bye bye Brown.
- Jay, London, UK, 18/10/2007 16:38
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Brown - please pack your bags and return to Scotland. Mr Cameron welcome to No.10.
Give us the referendum you promised you snake!
- Oscar, London, 18/10/2007 16:29
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When I read the comments I begin to understand how Labour won so many seats at the last election. Wow! So many people taken in by Labour's manifesto promise. I feel left out and I am beginning to feel sorry that I was not one of them so that I too could moan.
In the YouGov poll, mentioned above, some 50% of those polled were honest enough to admitted that they did not know whether the EU treaty 'differed substantially and no longer contained many of the provisions that many people objected to'. The rest, presumably, had read it in sufficient detail to be able to come to their own conclusions. (Yes, I believe it too).
Re: East Stoke's 90%. This is an enormous number is it not? Are we talking about 1000s of people. Are we talking about 100s of people. Er no, It was 72 actually. Enough said.
- David Dee, Canterbury, 18/10/2007 16:15
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I thought Crash Gordon said "we will have a referendum!". So much for country leadership, a bottler he is indeed.
- Stephen W, London, 18/10/2007 15:28
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Let Brown go ahead and sign, that will guarantee the demise of Labour at the next election. Like Darling , Brown is totally incapable of understanding the British electorates distate of con-men. Has he forgotten what happened to Tony Bliar!
- Ken, Norwich, 18/10/2007 15:26
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Let Brown go ahead and sign, that will guarantee the demise of Labour at the next election. Like Darling, Brown is totally incapable of understanding the British electorates distaste of con-men. Has he forgotten what happened to Tony Bliar!
- Ken, Norwich, 18/10/2007 15:26
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Major gamble? Election suicide, surely. If he doesn't deliver the referendum that was promised in Labour's manifesto, who is going to believe anything he says? And when Cameron promises the referendum, what's he going to do?
- Nigel, London, 18/10/2007 14:59
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Of the 70% that wish for a referendum, what percentage would vote against?
Of that percentage, which terms of the agreement are key to their wish to reject. We hear a lot about trust and the agreement being 90-95% the same as before, but that is only relevant if the now missing 5% was not the critical term(s). The public by saying they want a debate (through a referendum) are owed a duty by the press to be given full details of the agreement (which to be fair was still in negotiation up to yesterday) and then people can outline their objections and use this to justify a referendum.
- Martin, Guildford, 18/10/2007 14:20
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Darned crazy idea to have a Scotsman running England in the first place. This is the thanks we get for it.
- Marianne, SW France, 18/10/2007 14:02
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Gordon I beg you please sign the treaty without giving the people a referendum, then I can go out and vote Conservative and get Labour out of power and maybe help save this country going even further to the dogs.
- Ciar, London, 18/10/2007 13:18
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Good. This unelected foreigner has now made doubly sure he will remain just that - unelected.
- Annabelle, London, 18/10/2007 13:07
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The end of Labour.
- Karl, London, 18/10/2007 12:40
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There must be something very special about the Treaty setting up the EU superstate for Gord not to want to keep his promise.
Thanks to those decent Labour MPs who are prepared to fight for our right to have a vote.
- Gary, Wood Green, 18/10/2007 12:35
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Not "listening" very well are you Crash?
- Dave, London, 18/10/2007 11:40
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This man will sign the death warrant for the Labour Party if he doesn't start listening to the people!
- Jo, Canvey Island, 18/10/2007 10:34
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If he was foolish enough to sign on with 70% of the population against, the next election would signal the end of Labour for decades to come. Every time something irritating from the E.U. affected their lives, Brits would think of Gordon and the Labour Party and how those two had made the UK. into an E.U. province. Think again, Gordon. Don't be foolish!
- Phil Jones, London, UK, 18/10/2007 10:27
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What he is going to sign is morally wrong. The reason being, he is a Scottish unelected PM in an English Parliament. Never has any Government been given a mandate to give away our sovereign rights, this was never agreed when a vote was taken on the Common Market.
- Mick Wright, Wellingborough, UK, 18/10/2007 10:16
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When the government fails to represent the people it's time for revolution. Get rid of Brown, he's a liar and a traitor.
- Robert, London, 18/10/2007 08:47
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They invaded Iraq to spread democracy and remove WMD...how ironic. This government wouldn't know what democracy looks like, they are nothing but manipulative, ignorant liars. What a shame that they constantly ignore and limit public rights and views. I just hope they will actually let us have a vote on who will form the next government or will they make their own choice on that as well.
- Bradleyb, London, UK, 18/10/2007 02:18
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