Howard: Sign petition for your say on the EU

Michael Howard launched a nationwide petition today for a referendum on the EU constitution.

The Tory leader accused Tony Blair of being " dishonourable" in denying the people a say, and claimed the blueprint would hand a tranche of new powers to Brussels.

The constitution is "wrong in principle", he told the Welsh Conservat ive Conference in Llandudno.

"When it comes to transferring power from Britain to Brussels, Tony Blair says, 'Trust me'," he said. "Conservatives say, 'Trust the people'."

Of the petition, he said: "Sign it. Get your friends to sign it. Because whatever their views, they should have their say."

Mr Howard claimed the constitution would give the EU the "attributes of statehood", with its own president, foreign minister and legal system. "It is dishonourable to pretend that this is merely a tidyingup exercise," he said.