U.K. Conservative Lawmakers Want EU Referendum

The European Union isn't so popular, anymore

Half of all Conservative backbenchers have voted to criticise David Cameron's Queen's Speech for failing to propose a law on a European Union referendum.

In a symbolic expression of deep unease with the Coalition's European policy, around 114 Conservative MPs, including ministerial aides, backed an amendment regretting the omission of a referendum law.

Conservative support for the motion was bigger than expected and equal to more than a third of all the party's MPs.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats opposed the referendum call, and the amendment was defeated by 272 votes to 130