Blair paves way for looming EU treaty battle

Tony Blair laid down formal plans yesterday for a referendum on the European Union constitution in 2006, likely to prove a far tougher battle for the British prime minister than his own re-election bid expected next year.

Rejection by any EU member could scupper the treaty, while a "no" vote in Britain could also end Mr Blair's political career.

Queen Elizabeth - reading the government's plans for the next year in parliament - said a law would be introduced to legitimise the EU treaty by popular vote.

"A bill will be introduced to give effect to the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union, subject to a referendum," she said at the ceremonial opening of parliament.

Opinion polls show Mr Blair on track for a relatively comfortable victory at elections widely anticipated in May 2005.

But they also show a majority of Britons opposed to an EU treaty that many see as giving too much power to Brussels and threatening national identity. Mr Blair hopes to marginalise EU matters during the election campaign.

Then, after a hoped-for win, he wants to convince sceptics that the EU treaty is in their interests, keeping Britain at the bloc's heart and preserving its sovereignty over key areas like tax, defence and foreign policy. The government says the referendum will be in early 2006 and is promising a clearly worded question on the complicated issue.