The Tories could give British voters a say on “key parts” of the Lisbon Treaty even if the document has been completely ratified before the next general election, Boris Johnson claimed today.
The Conservative London mayor risked fuelling the row over Europe by suggesting that David Cameron would still need to “give effect” to people’s views even if the treaty was in force.
The Tory leader has only promised a referendum on the treaty if it has not already been ratified by all 27 members of the European Union before he comes to power.
He is resisting intense pressure to explain what he would do =- and whether there would be a referendum - if the treaty had taken effect before then.
Mr Johnson said today that he thought it was “bizarre” that people were being given no say over the prospect of former prime minister Tony Blair becoming president of the EU. “I do think there should be a consultation as soon as possible,” he told the BBC.
He admitted that if the treaty had been ratified by the last two EU members - the Czech Republic and Poland - then it would be a different situation. “It will be a matter for William Hague and David Cameron to work out how to give effect to the consultation that I think the people want,” he said.
But, challenged that there would be no point having any consultation then because the treaty would already be in force, Mr Johnson said: “That’s not quite so and I think you will find that there are things that could be done, and it’s certainly the case that you could put key parts of this treaty to the people and you could certainly find out what people thought about it.
“I think there should be a referendum on this as soon as possible. I think we should do this before the process is concluded. I think it’s unbelievable Labour are trying to get away with it.”
Asked which parts of the treaty the public could be given a say on, Mr Johnson went on: “I would single out this idea of a European president, because it is so emblematic of what they are trying to achieve, and a European foreign policy.
“These may be good things - maybe it would be to the benefit of the 500 million people in Europe, 27 countries, if Tony Blair was speaking for them, if (US President) Barack Obama wanting to get hold of Europe he rung up Tony Blair, maybe that would be a great thing," he said. "I think, though, it is a legitimate matter for public debate.”
He added: “If and when the treaty is ratified and that’s before a Conservative government comes in, then it’s a difficult matter and obviously William Hague and David Cameron will have to give effect to the consultation I think people will want to have.”
The Tories are holding their annual conference this week in Manchester.
PA