Tories face new split on Europe as David Cameron vetoes Lisbon referendum

THE Conservatives last night said they would not hold a referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, a decision that will enrage the Eurosceptic wing of David Cameron's party.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague ruled out a vote after the Czech Republic signed up to the treaty yesterday.

The treaty, which was drawn-up to streamline EU decision making, could come into force as early as next month, after the Czech president Vaclav Klaus took the final step required for its ratification.

His signature means that all 27 member states have now endorsed the treaty and removed the last hurdle that needed to be negotiated for it to be agreed.

His action has created a severe headache for the Conservatives, who face the possibility of the party's long-standing fault lines on European policy, which proved so damaging to John Major's government in the 1990s, being reopened.

The Tories had hoped the Czechs would delay their decision until after the UK general election, which would have allowed an incoming Conservative government to hold a vote on Lisbon.

In 2007, Mr Cameron gave an "iron-clad" promise that a future Tory government would hold a referendum.

But last night Mr Hague said it was "no longer possible" for an incoming Conservative government to hold a poll on the Lisbon Treaty, because it would have become law by that time.

"This is a bad day for democracy," Mr Hague said. He blamed Gordon Brown and the Labour government for denying voters a referendum in the first place.

In recent months, the Conservatives have been vague when asked what would happen if all 27 member states had endorsed Lisbon by the time they came to power.

All the Tory leader has said is that he "would not let matters rest there".

Today, Mr Cameron is expected to outline his European plans, in a speech that will be keenly watched by Tory Eurosceptics, already angered that they are to be denied a referendum.

Conservative opponents of the Lisbon agreement believe it will result in too many powers being given away to Brussels. One prominent Tory Eurosceptic, the MP Bill Cash, said a referendum should be held in the UK regardless of whether the treaty has been ratified.

"We need a full referendum on Lisbon, as we were promised and as we voted in the House of Commons – no ifs or buts," he said. "This is about the government of the United Kingdom operating in line with the democratic wishes of the electorate."

Mr Cameron's hopes that Mr Klaus would hold out were dashed when the Czech president signed much sooner than expected.

Czech officials said he did so despite misgivings about a recent court ruling against a claim that the treaty was against the Czech constitution.

Earlier, Mr Cameron denied that he had let down voters on his referendum promise adding he was "disappointed" that all 27 countries had signed up.

STRIVING FOR A MORE EFFICIENT EU

THE Lisbon Treaty is a watered down version of an earlier draft constitution that was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005.

It would create the post of a new European Council president who would serve a term of two-and-a-half years. It also provides for a new foreign policy chief.

The treaty's supporters say it will allow the EU to operate more efficiently and give it greater influence in world affairs. Critics say it will cede too many national powers to Brussels.

Last month, the Irish people voted in favour of Lisbon in a second referendum held after the first poll produced a "No" result. Since then, both Poland and now the Czech Republic have signed up.