BRITAIN: The British government has unveiled the question to be asked in the referendum expected next year on the new EU constitution.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats appeared satisfied with the neutral question to be put to the voters: "Should the United Kingdom approve the treaty establishing a constitution for the European Union?"
However, Conservative shadow foreign secretary Mr Michael Ancram said the new referendum Bill had no chance of becoming law before this year's expected general election.
And he dismissed yesterday's announcement as "Tony Blair's cheap gesture to the pro-constitution lobby while he runs scared of a debate on Europe he knows he cannot win".
Britain's new EU Commissioner, Mr Peter Mandelson, said rejection of the constitution would be a leap into the unknown and that the referendum would present voters with a clear choice: "a choice between Britain continuing its present course of active engagement in Europe", he told the BBC's PM programme. "Or, if they were to reject the treaty, of stepping into the unknown - and it would be an unknown."
Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw echoed that warning. "If we reject this treaty Britain will be isolated and weak in Europe," he declared.
Patriots by definition wanted the UK to be prosperous at home and strong and influential abroad, said Mr Straw.
"Our role as a leading member of the EU is a crucial part of securing that."
But Mr Neil O'Brien of the Vote NO campaign said: "The reality is that the government doesn't want to discuss the EU constitution before the election because they know it is extremely unpopular with voters and business."