BRITAIN:The Conservatives have warmly welcomed the decision of the TUC congress to challenge British prime minister Gordon Brown's authority by demanding a referendum on the new European Union treaty.
Conservative leader David Cameron announced on Tuesday that he will force a Commons vote on the issue soon after MPs return to Westminster next month. And yesterday union delegates - already locked in battle with the government over below- inflation public sector pay rises - backed the GMB's referendum call, albeit because they want ministers to drop the British opt-out on the charter of fundamental rights.
Delegates rejected a separate motion from the RMT union calling on trade unions to campaign against the treaty in the event of a referendum.
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague was quick to hail "this deeply embarrassing defeat" for Mr Brown, resulting from what he termed "the government's arrogance and its intention to disregard both its own promises and the views of the British public."
Mr Hague said he hoped the result would "strengthen the determination of many Labour MPs to stand by their own promises to vote for a referendum and to tell Gordon Brown he should do so as well."
The unions want Mr Brown to support the fundamental charter of rights to enshrine employment protection, and so in effect extend Brussels' influence. But while approaching the issue from different perspectives, what ministers will regard as an "unholy alliance" between the Tories and the unions would seem to have further boosted the cross-party campaign for a referendum by MPs who believe the new treaty is in essence the same as the constitution on which Labour had previously committed itself to a referendum.
Mr Hague said: "People from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum are now calling on Gordon Brown to honour the commitment he made to a referendum of the British people.
"He has no democratic mandate to introduce an EU treaty which is essentially the same as the EU constitution without such a referendum."
Labour MP Ian Davidson said: "This is a wonderful result which could not have been anticipated last week.
"We have won the arguments at the TUC over the last few days. Trade unions have listened to their members, and the government should listen to its voters," he added.