An MEP has launched an online petition calling for a referendum on the EU reform treaty.
Nirj Deva, Tory MEP for Kent, claimed the document was almost identical to the scrapped EU Constitution.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair promised a referendum on the constitution in Labour's 2005 general election manifesto.
But his successor Gordon Brown has rejected calls for a public vote on the new EU treaty, insisting it is completely different to the constitution.
Mr Deva said: “Gordon Brown appears to have reneged on Labour’s manifesto pledge to give the British people a referendum on the constitution.
“If ratified, the constitution would mean the surrender of national vetoes in more than 60 policy areas ranging from immigration to transport policy and the creation of a permanent EU president and foreign minister.
“The British people must have their say. These massive constitutional changes must be put to a national referendum.
“I urge the people of Kent to make their voices clear by signing this petition.”
Nigel Farage, Kent MEP and leader of the UK Independence Party, agreed with Mr Deva.
He said: “I say it doesn't matter what you call it. It is 96 per cent the same as the constitution that was rejected by the French and Dutch and 96 per cent is close enough for me to say they are the same.
“The Government should honour its manifesto commitment and give us the referendum, simple as that. It is constantly being called a constitutional treaty in Europe – Labour has just dropped the C word. It is the content of this document and not the title.”
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “The Reform Treaty is good for the UK and good for Europe. It confirms the UK vision of a Europe of sovereign states and that the constitutional concept has been abandoned.
“The right place for debate and decision is Parliament - no treaty has ever been ratified by referendum in the UK.”
On Friday, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell became the latest senior politician to demand a referendum on the EU reform treaty.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.
The public deserved an “honest debate” on Europe, he said. “That means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.”
POSTED: 17/09/2007 08:00:00
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