Blair Calls for Vote on EU Constitution

[CShine]

Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) announced a referendum on the European Union (news - web sites)'s constitution Tuesday, a significant reversal of policy which launches a battle to decide Britain's relationship with Europe.

"Let the issue be put. Let the battle be joined," Blair told a raucous House of Commons, as he confirmed Britain's first national referendum since 1975.

Blair set no date for the vote, but signaled it would not be held for at least a year, as the treaty must first be agreed by EU leaders and debated in Parliament. That would most likely put the referendum after a national election expected next May.

Blair said he hopes a referendum will foster a balanced, sensible public debate on whether Britain should integrate more closely with the EU. But it is a high risk strategy. Opinion polls suggest the result will be tight and if Britain votes "no" it could delay or defeat the constitution, which requires ratification by all 25 EU states, and force the ardently pro-European Blair to resign.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&ncid=732&e=5&u=/ap/20040420/ap_on_re_eu/britain_eu_constitution

[Sagan]

1. Blair Calls for Distraction from Bloody Iraq Quagmire

"Let Iraq be forgotten... Let the public hear a mumbled, deadening, sleep-inducing drone of statistics on Danish cod fishing regulations rather than the short sharp explosions and death in Fallujah, Najaf and Basra. Indeed, let us get my ass out of this sling!"