MPs join fight against EU treaty

Tony Blair was today facing a dangerous cross-party coalition of MPs, business groups and celebrities as he gambled on an EU constitution referendum.

A mass movement, bankrolled by businessmen and cutting across party divides, was being formed to maximise public opposition to the treaty. The spectre of a potentially disastrous outcome sent a shudder through ministers as Mr Blair performed his most spectacular and embarrassing U-turn yet, confirming that a vote will be held on the European constitution - though not until after the next general election.

Signs emerged of dissent and confusion among Cabinet ministers. Several senior ministers privately admitted they had been kept in the dark about the decision until the past 48 hours, despite claims by No10 that it was debated at Cabinet. There were rumours that some, including the pro-European Education Secretary Charles Clarke, were deeply unhappy with the move.

The Prime Minister was exposed to ridicule after Commons Speaker Michael Martin effectively ordered him to come to the Chamber to explain in person, rather than delegating the job to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw as planned.

Mr Blair was expected to come out fighting in his Commons statement this afternoon, challenging Tory leader Michael Howard to debate the blueprint for EU expansion line by line over several months. He will tell the Commons that the poll question will be a simple yes or no to the constitution - quashing speculation that he would attempt to widen it into a

vote on whether Britain should be in or out of the European Union itself.

Mr Blair will flatly refuse to call the referendum before the general election which is likely to be called in May next year, claiming it should be debated in detail first by Parliament.

Mr Blair's hopes of turning the referendum into a battle between himself and the Tory Eurosceptics was undermined today when it emerged that Mr Howard has taken a strategic decision to take a back seat in the national campaign.

Instead, the Conservatives will allow an independent organisation to take the lead in a bid to maximise support from Labour MPs and floating voters.

The No group will be organised by Dominic Cummings, the former head of the highly successful cross-party campaign against the euro.

Mr Cummings was credited with attracting celebrity endorsements to anti-euro movement, including Bob Geldof, Harry Enfield and Johnny Vaughan. A source said he was in talks last night with potential donors, including four wealthy businessmen. Sir Stanley Kalms, the Dixons tycoon, was said to be willing to make major contributions.