• 20 OCT 2011

BBC

Downing Street has brought forward a Commons vote on a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU amid signs of a significant rebellion by Conservative backbenchers.

The debate has been moved to allow David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague to attend.

The prime minister has said he understands frustrations with the EU, but is opposed to a referendum.

Up to 50 Tory MPs could potentially rebel against the government.

The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson says the prime minister wants to be there for the debate so he can look his backbenchers in the eye and tell them: "Don't do this."

The government is considering tabling an amendment to the vote committing to a White Paper examining the powers of Europe - with the promise of a referendum some time in the future, Robinson added.

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