Blair’s shift set to open route for historic vote on EU constitution

IN a dramatic policy U-turn, British Prime Minister Tony Blair will today announce a referendum on the new EU constitution.

Any poll is not expected to take place at least until next year, possibly after a June general election, and will be only one of several similar plebiscites taking place across the EU.

Senior sources last night confirmed that Mr Blair will tell MPs that if a constitutional treaty is agreed in June, Parliament should have the first chance to scrutinise it.