Britain began an uphill battle today to persuade a sceptical public to support a European Union constitution, unveiling the question that will be posed in a referendum expected next year.
Failure to approve the constitution could force the resignation of Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, many analysts believe.
Mr Blair's government will ask Britons a mere 14-word question: "Should the United Kingdom approve the treaty establishing a constitution for the European Union?"
The "No" lobby, which is backed by influential sections of the press and the opposition Conservative Party, accepted the question-- published in a legislative bill - as fair, neutral and straightforward.
They had speculated Mr Blair would seek to dupe the public into signing up by asking a broad question about Britain's membership of the 25-nation EU. But critics called Mr Blair a coward for postponing the battle over Europe until well after a national election expected in May.
Latest research from pollsters MORI shows about 65 per cent of Britons are opposed to adopting the new constitution.
Rejection would make a mockery of Mr Blair's pledge to put Britain at the heart of Europe and shatter his credibility as a leader with clout, analysts say.
The wider issue of Britain's role on the world stage will be at the centre of the government's campaign for a "Yes". "At stake is nothing less than the very nature of Britain's power in the world," Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, said today.
The pro-Europe lobby group Britain in Europe said Britain's prosperity depended on its remaining engaged with the EU and warned Britons that a "No" would be "a step into the unknown". Rejection by any of the EU's members could in theory scupper the treaty.