Brown defies his party rebels over vote on EU treaty

The Prime Minister said Parliament - not the nation - would have the final say.

He said there would be 'detailed consideration' in the Commons and the Lords and confidently predicted MPs and peers would approve the controversial EU treaty.

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Unions and Labour MPs have joined a growing backlash over the issue, which overshadowed Mr Brown's first Downing Street talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - who is among the treaty's foremost backers.

But the Prime Minister said the rebellion would not succeed, insisting: "I have been clear throughout that if we achieve, as we have done so far, our negotiating objectives then I believe the proper way of conmentalssidering this is through detailed consideration in Parliament itself."

Unison became the latest union to announce it would campaign for a no vote at next month's TUC congress.

The issue could also cast a shadow over his first Labour conference as leader later in September, with several MPs adding their support to the campaign.

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Standing beside the German Chancellor, Mr Brown told reporters: "Let's see what the TUC do.

"My own view is that the TUC when it meets will support the Government.

"We believe the proper way to discuss this is through detailed discussion in the House of Commons and the House of Lords and I believe Parliament will pass the legislation."

The two leaders also talked about recent turmoil on the international money markets, with Mr Brown insisting 'the fundamentals of our economy are strong'.

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In a show of warmth between the two leaders, the Premier took Mrs Merkel to watch England's friendly against Germany at Wembley last night - which England lost 2-1.

But the rapport was undermined by more calls for a national vote on the EU treaty - which senior European politicians admit is nearly identical to the old constitution.

The Conservatives stepped up their calls for a popular vote by publishing five key questions Mr Brown had to put to Mrs Merkel.

But a Daily Mail poll this week revealed that dismay at being denied a say is also widespread among Labour supporters.

Mr Brown claims a referendum is not necessary because the new treaty is different to the abandoned EU constitution.

Yet in June Mrs Merkel said: "The substance of the constitution is preserved.

"That is a fact."

Labour promised a referendum on the original constitutional treaty in 2005, before it was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands.

The new treaty will hand sweeping powers to Brussels including the creation of an EU head of state and foreign minister.

Unison, the GMB, the Rail Maritime and Transport Union and the Transport and General Workers' Union arm of the new superunion Unite are demanding a vote.

The RMT has submitted a motion urging the TUC to campaign for a 'no' vote on the Brussels treaty.

A motion by the RMT says the treaty is virtually identical to the old constitiution, adding: "Indeed the French architect of the constitution, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, stated the new EU treaty would be 'very, very near to the original'."

Senior Labour backbencher Gwyneth Dunwoody said she wants Mr Brown to hold a referendum 'because of the magnitude of the changes' to Britain that are in the treaty.

She added: "I'm afraid that instinct tells me as a politician that every time you allow people to chip away at your basic legislation, you give something that you're probably going to regret."

The ICM poll for the Daily Mail found one in four Labour voters could snub Mr Brown in an election if he refuses a referendum.

Eight out of ten of the wider public want a vote.

Europe Minister Jim Murphy insisted a referendum is not necessary, as the new treaty would not create an EU constitution.

During his talks with Mrs Merkel, the Premier discussed the treaty, but tried to sidestep the row by focusing on international development.

The leaders issued a joint statement calling for 'urgent action' to meet targets for curbing Aids and deaths of women in childbirth in the Third World.