EU: Mr Tony Blair was under fire from both sides of Britain's European debate last night as he prepared for the crucial Brussels summit on the new EU Constitution.
Liberal Democrat MEP Mr Andrew Duff said Mr Blair's pledge to maintain the national veto on key issues was "an insult to democracy" and urged other EU leaders to "stand up" to any "unreasonable demands" Mr Blair might make today.
However, Conservative leader Mr Michael Howard clearly anticipated British government acceptance of the constitution, and dismissed Mr Blair's "red lines" as no more than "red herrings".
Downing Street, meanwhile, maintained it did not know whether the constitution would be approved during the scheduled two days of talks.
While playing down headlines suggesting an imminent "showdown", the prime minister's official spokesman said they still required some "clarification" from the Irish EU presidency on taxation and that the proposed charter of rights remains "an issue" in respect of its implications for the UK's industrial laws.
However, with some senior sources privately predicting that agreement is more likely than not, the official line was that the outcome would more probably turn on the question of vote-weighting and continuing disagreement between France and Germany, on the one side, and Spain and Poland on the other.
During Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Mr Blair stuck to the formula that he would "protect the British national interest on the issues to do with tax, foreign policy and defence". However, he added: "I believe it is important Britain remains at the centre of decision-making and I wish to ensure that Britain does so."
Mr Blair rounded on Conservative leader Mr Michael Howard: "It's about time you showed a bit of proper leadership and instead of running towards the UK Independence Party shouting 'me too', that you actually stood up to them and took on the argument."
Having urged him to reject the new constitution, Mr Howard countered: "Everybody knows that the government's red lines, so called, are red herrings. Everyone knows that this constitution transfers more power from Britain to Brussels. Even if you get all your red lines it involves giving up more than 20 of our vetoes."
Mr Howard insisted: "If I were in your place I would say 'No'. The British people want you to say 'no'. Which part of the word 'no' don't you understand?"