TONY BLAIR is seriously considering calling a referendum on the new European constitution in what would be one of the biggest policy U-turns of his premiership, The Times has learnt.

Senior ministers and advisers are urging the Prime Minister to grasp the opportunity of the expected agreement in June on the proposals to open a national debate about whether Britain should play a full part in the European Union.

The Times has been told that ministers and strategists within 10 Downing Street have been discussing options for giving the public a say over Europe, possibly by tying a referendum to the constitution or by staging a wider poll on whether Britain should be in or out of Europe.

Mr Blair, who has always opposed a referendum on the constitution, is now said to be open to ideas and has gradually shifted his position over the past few months.

Agreeing to a referendum would be a dramatic reversal, but Mr Blair’s senior strategists say that it would wrong-foot the Conservatives, who would make a referendum a central general election promise.

Senior Cabinet ministers close to Mr Blair believe that the public has little to fear from the constitution, which is likely to be sealed at a Brussels summit in late June — after the European elections.

But they argue that refusing to hold a referendum would open the Government to charges of arrogance. They admit that it would be impossible to pretend that the EU could not operate without the constitution, but believe that they could still win the argument. Both pro-Europeans such as Patricia Hewitt and more sceptical Cabinet ministers such as Jack Straw, David Blunkett and Gordon Brown are likely to back the idea.

Options being floated include:

• A straightforward referendum on the constitution, in line with several other EU countries;
• A wider question on whe-ther Britain should remain a fully-fledged EU member. Sources admit that any question would have to be tightly drawn and specific to secure the backing of the Electoral Commission;
• Making approval of the constitution part of the next manifesto;
• A manifesto promise that Labour would hold a referendum on EU membership if re-elected.

  Discussions within the Government have become more active with the increasing likelihood that the constitution will be approved within months. Spain and Poland, which opposed a deal at last December’s summit in Brussels, appear ready to shift, senior diplomatic sources say, amid signs of a fresh concession over voting rights within the enlarged EU.

  They are believed to be prepared to sign up to the proposed new system of “double majority” voting which requires EU measures to secure a majority both of countries within the EU and of their combined populations.

  Under a new plan being discussed, the thresholds would rise to 55 per cent of the member countries, and 65 per cent of the populations. This would make it easier for countries such as Poland and Spain to muster the 35 per cent population figure needed to block proposals from the largest countries.

  Leaders of the EU will meet in Dublin on May 1 for a ceremony to mark the Union’s enlargement to 25 members. Away from the celebrations they are expected to try to iron out any remaining differences that stand in the way of an agreement in June.

  Mr Blair has let it be known that he wants to ratify the new constitution in Parliament as soon as possible, although whether he would have time to rush it through before the general election will depend on the speed with which a new treaty is drawn up by Brussels.

  The Conservatives said yesterday that more than 100 local councils, representing 19 million people, had backed holding a referendum on the constitution.

  The councils have supported a Conservative motion demanding a referendum on the ground that the Government has already staged 34 such votes on devolution and elected mayors.

  Caroline Spelman, the Shadow Local Government Secretary, said: “Given that the Government believes in holding referendums on other constitutional changes, from an elected mayor for Hartlepool to regional assemblies, why should not voters also be given a voice on these major constitutional upheavals? In the absence of trust for Tony Blair, let’s trust the people.”

  The wording of the question which would be put in any referendum has yet to be decided. It will, in any case, have to be approved by the Electoral Commission.

  If Mr Blair opts for a referendum on the constitution it will add to pressure on Jacques Chirac to hold one in France.

  M Chirac promised that a vote of the people would be held some time ago but is believed to be reluctant to call one given the present political climate in France.

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