A CALL to hold a UK referendum on a controversial European reform treaty was rejected tonight by Westminster, prompting three Liberal Democrats to resign their position in the party's shadow cabinet.
MPs rejected two motions seeking a public referendum on the document, which replaced the failed 2005 attempt to agree to a European Union constitution.
After a heated six-hour debate that revealed deep divisions in all the political parties, the k
ey referendum bid was rejected by 311 votes to 248, majority 63.
A rebel Labour bid, led by Ian Davidson of Glasgow, for a referendum on the treaty and, possibly Britain's membership of the EU, was defeated by 311 votes to 247, majority 64.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg suffered the embarrassment of open revolt over his decision to insist the party's MPs should abstain.
Liberal Democrat MP for West Morland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron prepares for a television interview before this evening's vote and his subsequent resignation from the front bench. Picture: Getty Images
Justice spokesman David Heath, countryside spokesman Tim Farron and Scotland and Northern Ireland spokesman Alistair Carmichael resigned after defying the leadership to vote for a Commons amendment calling for a referendum.
Mr Clegg said: "I greatly regret the loss of David, Tim and Alistair from the shadow cabinet. They have served with great distinction and commitment.
"However, as they have recognised, the shadow cabinet cannot operate effectively unless the principle of collective responsibility is maintained."
The Liberal Democrat split overshadowed Gordon Brown's own embarrassment over a backbench rebellion by Labour MPs insisting that the party should stick by its 2005 manifesto commitment to a public poll on the proposed constitution.
Tory leader David Cameron was also expected to suffer a minor revolt of pro-Europeans agreed on the need for no referendum.
Critics of the Lisbon Treaty have consistently claimed it is virtually the same as the now defunct constitution, which was rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands. But the Prime Minister has consistently counter-claimed that the treaty is "substantially different" to the constitutional concept, which had been abandoned.
The vote came at the end of 11 days of detailed debate on the EU (Amendment) Bill, which is due to clear the Commons next week, before being scrutinised by peers.
In a day dominated by the referendum row, Mr Cameron accused the Prime Minister of not having the "courage" to call a referendum and Mr Clegg said Mr Brown had "bottled" the issue.
Early indications were that 13 Liberal Democrat MPs defied Mr Clegg in support of a referendum. It was also estimated that 25 Labour MPs rebelled in support of the Tories' demand for a referendum.
Mr Cameron reminded Mr Brown that all three major parties had promised a referendum on the proposed European constitution at the last general election.
"We have the courage of our convictions and are sticking to that promise – you have lost your courage and that lot (the Lib Dems) have lost their convictions."
Mr Brown insisted that if the constitution was before the country, a referendum would be held. But the "constitutional concept" had been abandoned, so one was not needed. He accused the Tories of putting British jobs "at risk" by threatening action that could lead to a renegotiation of the Lisbon Treaty. And he taunted the Liberal Democrats by saying there was "not much principle" in recommending abstention.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted that a referendum should only be held when a "fundamental" shift of power was to take place but this was not the case with Lisbon.
Any referendum was in a sense, an abdication of power by Parliament and the government of the day.
