Blair battles to kill off constitution

Tony Blair was today fighting behind the scenes to kill off the EU constitution in the wake of the resounding Dutch no vote.

He was under strong pressure from other European leaders to go through the motions of a UK referendum, which ministers think would result in an even bigger rejection of the treaty.

The Dutch voted by 61.6 per cent to 38.4 against the blueprint for Europe's future after a campaign highlighting anger at rising inflation, immigration and loss of sovereignty. Today "no" voters took to the streets, holding impromptu parties.

Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende withdrew the treaty, saying: "We have to do justice to the Dutch people."

While British party leaders were unanimous in declaring the constitution dead, German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French president Jacques Chirac refused to accept the verdict. Germany was reported to be proposing an "inner core" of EU members to recreate the old Franco-German axis. Mr Schroeder said: "I am convinced we need the constitution if we want a democratic, socialminded and strong Europe."

Luxembourg, which currently holds the EU Council presidency and will chair crucial talks on 16 June, also piled the pressure on Britain to go ahead with a referendum next year.

Mr Blair is planning a whistle-stop tour of France, Germany and Luxembourg before the summit to persuade them the EU needs to rethink its entire approach and embrace sweeping economic reforms.

No 10 has played down suggestions Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will cancel the UK referendum when he makes a Commons statement on Monday.

But sources admit it is only a matter of timing before the vote is officially called off. Ministers have shied away from saying the treaty is doomed for fear of a diplomatic backlash.

Mr Straw said the Dutch vote raised "profound questions" about the future direction of Europe and strengthened the case for wholesale reforms.

The Tories said the UK referendum should go ahead so the public could vote against it. Shadow foreign secretary Liam Fox said: "The French gave the constitution its death sentence. The Dutch voters dealt a fatal blow. The constitution is dead."

But Labour's former Europe minister Keith Vaz said the poll should be called off "as soon as possible".