Lib Dem referendum bid defeated

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The party used a rare Parliamentary procedure to ask the Commons to allow them to call for a public vote during debate on the European Union (Amendment) Bill to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

But MPs voted 471 to 68, majority 403, to kill off any chance of the plan proceeding any further.

The party persuaded Speaker Michael Martin to allow the debate and vote on the issue, just a week after his refusal sparked a Commons walkout by its MPs.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had urged Tories to back his bid to give the public a say on the broader subject of EU membership.

The decision allowed MPs to vote on whether an "instruction" could be given to the Committee of the whole House considering the European Union (Amendment) Bill.

The massive vote against the Liberal Democrat plan means that amendments calling for an in-out referendum will not be considered.

Tories have already secured a vote on whether to put ratification of the treaty to a plebiscite.

Labour former minister Gisela Stuart said the Liberal Democrats' policy was "absolutely undemocratic blackmail" and Tory backbencher Phil Davies (Shipley) accused them of using "weasel tactics" to renege on their manifesto commitment.

Europe Minister Jim Murphy opposed the plan and said the Commons had already voted, by almost 400 votes, against having an in-out referendum during debate on the Queen's Speech.