If the government reneges on a manifesto commitment, private initiative should not be ruled out:
The Conservatives could back a privately funded referendum on the new European Union treaty if Gordon Brown refuses to allow the British people the final say, William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said yesterday.
Mr Hague said it could be "a good idea'' but was "not a substitute" for an official referendum as promised by the Government at the last election.....a growing coalition of up to 40 rebel Labour MPs, some trade unions, Conservative Eurosceptics and business leaders are preparing a summer campaign to put the case for a referendum.