Brown feels the pressure over Europe

But he’ll still hold out against a referendum on the EU treaty, says our Westminster insider

Gordon Brown's difficulties over the re-branded European Constitution are turning serious. Labour's pro-Europeans have formed an unholy alliance with Euro-sceptics inside and outside the party to call for a once-and-for-all referendum on the issue.

It is the former Europe Minister Keith Vaz who has broken cover to call on the Prime Minister to "trust the people" and hold a national vote at the same time as the next election, which could come as early as this October (though insiders still have spring 2009 penciled in their diaries).

What has Brown seething is that Vaz has always been close to Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson. His intervention is aimed at not only taking on the Euro-sceptics, but also flushing out the Brown government on Europe, an issue the new PM doesn't really want to talk about.

Pro-Europeans in Labour were always bitter

that the former Chancellor vetoed moves for a referendum on Britain joining the euro, with his famous five tests. And there are some who will enjoy watching Brown squirm.

But this is not just internal Labour Party bickering or the settling of old scores. Four out of five voters want a say on the new EU Treaty. The Tories and the UK Independence Party are also stirring up passions.

On top of that, there are up to 120 Labour MPs and former Ministers like David Blunkett - even, privately, some senior Ministers in Brown's government - who are in favour of a referendum.

Brown's argument for refusing a referendum is that the proper place to discuss the issue is the British Parliament.

Pressure on him to change his tune will intensify during the coming conference season. The GMB general workers union and the RMT rail union are tabling motions calling for a national vote at the TUC congress in Brighton.

Expect fierce debate at the Labour conference, starting September 24 - and bank on Brown to stick his guns.