Tories ready to quit Government over Europe vote

(PA)

David Cameron is facing the first political resignations from his Government as an increasing number of Tory MPs are threatening to defy the whips and vote to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

Monday's vote will be the first organised rebellion against his leadership since he won control of the Conservative Party six years ago.

A total of 76 MPs – 60 Tories, and eight each from the Labour and Democratic Ulster Unionist parties – have signed the motion calling for a referendum that would give voters three choices – to stay in the EU on present terms, leave, or renegotiate the terms of the UK's membership.

Their chances faded when Ed Miliband announced yesterday that Labour MPs are being told to support the Government. Even if the rebels somehow won the vote without Labour's official support, the outcome is not binding.

The vote was originally scheduled for Thursday, when David Cameron and William Hague will be away at a Commonwealth summit in Australia, but the Government insisted on bringing it forward so that the Foreign Secretary can speak in the debate.

There were hints the Government was going to impose a three-line whip to deter rebels.

Stewart Jackson, parliamentary aide to Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson, said if the Government imposes a three-line whip he will resign to vote with the rebels.

Mark Pritchard, secretary of the 1922 Committee, confirmed that he is also prepared to defy a three-line whip: "Ultimately, this is about country first, party second and career last."

George Eustice, an ally of David Cameron, offered a compromise he hoped would avert a split in the Tory party. He suggested a referendum should be delayed until after the Government had published a White Paper on Europe, and had tried to renegotiate the terms of the UK's membership.