Cameron rejects Sturgeon's Euro veto move

But Mr Cameron, who has placed a referendum by the end of 2017 at the heart of the Conservative election platform, said a simple majority across the UK would decide the result.

He said: "We are one United Kingdom, there will be one in-out referendum and that will be decided on a majority of those who vote.

"That is how the rules should work."

Mr Cameron was responding to Sir Bill Cash, the chairman of the European scrutiny committee, who asked at Prime Minister's Questions: "Nicola Sturgeon this morning has called for a separate majority for Scotland in the event of a EU referendum, which is a reserved matter in respect of the Scotland Act.

"Will you refuse her request or demand and will you also condemn the Liberal Democrats for what appears to be a veto over our referendum Bill?"

On the European Union (Referendum) Bill, which was killed last night over a behind-the-scenes dispute between the coalition parties, Mr Cameron said: "I'm very disappointed we won't be able to take forward the referendum Bill in this Parliament.

"It wasn't possible to get agreement on a money resolution but people should be in no doubt: if they want an in-out referendum, there is only one way to get it and that is to return a Conservative government."

The private member's bill, promoted by Tory MP Bob Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst), collapsed after the Liberal Democrat wing of the coalition refused to agree a money resolution - a Treasury authorisation for spending contained in the Bill - which is needed before it can proceed.

The move was a tit-for-tat retaliation after the Conservatives rejected a money resolution for the Affordable Homes Bill, promoted by Liberal Democrat Andrew George (St Ives), which would have watered down the so-called bedroom tax.

The Conservatives demanded the referendum bill be given Government time in return for the money resolution on the homes legislation, claiming the Liberal Democrat plan demanded up to £1 billion in spending to implement.

Raising the clash himself at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr George said: "If you want your EU Referendum Bill to proceed, as you claim you do, then all you need to do is demonstrate a level of mature engagement on the granting of money resolutions.

"Are you proud of the fact your party is abusing the privilege of executive power and denying the clear will of this House by denying the money resolution for the Private Member's Bill to protect the vulnerable and disabled from the bedroom tax?"

Mr George, who came first in the Private Member's Bill ballot to Mr Neill's third place, saw his Bill agreed at second reading with Labour support last month.

But Mr Cameron highlighted the fact that an identical Private Member's Bill had already been agreed by MPs in last year's session, meaning the Liberal Democrats had no reason to block it.

He said: "I'm afraid the problem with your point is your Bill is literally a bill - it would cost over a billion pounds for the British taxpayer. That is why it wouldn't be right to give it a money resolution.

"If you believed in democracy, you would recognise the EU Referendum Bill passed this House with a massive majority. It went to the House of Lords. We should re-introduce it as a Government Bill, that's what ought to happen."

Raising a point of order at the end of the session, Tory John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) asked the Speaker: "Following the failure of the European Union (Referendum) Bill because the Labour and Liberal leaderships will not trust the British electorate on this issue, what guidance can you give to best proceed given there is no money resolution?"

John Bercow replied: "It is not for me to offer guidance on that matter. Procedural matters relating to Bills which have been committed to public bill committees are matters exclusively within the competence of the chair of the said committee.

"Moreover, as I imagine you know ... money resolutions are exclusively a matter for the Government. Those are waters in which the Speaker does not tread."

Earlier today Sturgeon, who will succeed Alex Salmond as SNP leader and Scottish first minister, said that the veto was the only way to ensure voices in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not "drowned out" by anti-European sentiments in England.

The current Scottish deputy first minister will highlight the issue as she embarks on a series of rallies setting out how she intends to lead the country when she becomes first minister next month.

At an event in Edinburgh Ms Sturgeon, who is the only candidate to take over from Mr Salmond, will say when legislation for an EU referendum is introduced at Westminster, the SNP will table an amendment requiring a majority in all four home nations for withdrawal before this can happen.

Ms Sturgeon will state: "It is clear from recent by-elections in England that the anti-European politics of Ukip is on the rise. An in/out referendum on EU membership in 2017 now seems inevitable - almost regardless of who wins the general election next May."

That means it is "entirely possible that the UK as a whole could vote to exit the EU, but that Scotland would vote to stay", she will warn

Ms Sturgeon will make clear: "I don't think the EU is perfect. Far from it. It badly needs change and reform.

"But I do believe - strongly - that our interests are best served by being in, not out, of the EU. The impact of an exit on jobs and on the economy would be disastrous.

"And to be taken out against our wishes would be democratically indefensible.

"So I am making this proposal. Should a Bill be tabled in the House of Commons for a referendum on European Union membership, my party will table an amendment.

"That amendment will require that for the UK to leave the EU, each of the four constituent nations - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - would have to vote to do so, not just the UK as a whole."

She will argue this proposal "transforms the terms of the UK debate on Europe - which so far has been all about the Westminster parties dancing to Ukip's tune" so it would "give proper protection against any of the nations of the UK being removed from the EU against their will".

Speaking ahead of this evening's rally, Ms Sturgeon told BBC Radio Scotland: "What I'm suggesting is the kind of double majority system you see in some federal states like Canada and Australia, that for the UK to leave the European Union it would require not just the UK as a whole to vote for that but for each one of the four home nations also to vote for it.

"I think that is right, it's sensible, it's reasonable. It would also be in line with what the Westminster parties told us during the referendum on Scottish independence was the case, that is that the UK is a family of nations, a partnership of equals."

She told the Good Morning Scotland programme: "What I'm putting forward today is a proposal that would ensure that Scotland's voice is not drowned out in that referendum, that Wales' and Northern Ireland's voices weren't drowned out in that referendum."

Ms Sturgeon said: "The UK is not a unitary state, it's a family of nations, it's made up of the four home nations. We were told during the referendum that each of these nations had equal status, that our voices mattered.

"If that is the case then I think it is right that something that would have such significant consequences for jobs, for the economy, for our standing in the world, should require the consent not just of the UK as a whole but of each member of that family of nations."

Ms Sturgeon is staging a series of rallies across Scotland in the coming weeks, setting out her vision for both Scotland and the SNP, which has seen its membership more than treble in the aftermath of the independence referendum.

While she will stress her continued belief in independence, she will promise to ''focus on the job in hand'' of governing Scotland, and will make the NHS her ''daily priority''.

Ms Sturgeon is expected to say: ''Wherever we progress to as a country in the future - and I believe it will be to independence - I pledge this:

''If our Parliament does me the honour of electing me as first minister, my government will have a relentless focus on the job in hand - on our public services, on the economy of Scotland, on tackling inequality and on our precious NHS.

''Just as it is for people across our country, the NHS will be my daily priority. I will work tirelessly to protect and improve it.''

She will also use her speech this evening to promise to represent those who believe in the union as well as those who want Scotland to become independent.

She will state: ''As first minister, I will work to build as much unity and common cause in our country as I can.''

She will add: ''For me, One Scotland is not just a slogan - it is a principle that should guide us as a nation.

''There are many who voted No in September who are open to persuasion in future. I know a few who have changed their minds already.

''But I also know there are those who will never be persuaded of the case for independence. I respect that. And, as first minister, I will serve them too.''

Ms Sturgeon will argue that while people may have ''differing views on independence'', they can share the same aspirations for the country, including a ''healthy economy, strong public services and a flourishing democracy''.

She will pledge: ''That is why, for each and every day that I hold office as first minister, I will govern this country to the very best of my ability - and I will do so for all of Scotland."

But MP Anas Sarwar, interim leader of the Scottish Labour Party after Johann Lamont's shock resignation, said Ms Sturgeon must pledge not to hold another vote on independence for Scotland for another generation.

He argued that remaining in the UK was the "settled will of the Scottish people" and added: "'Nicola Sturgeon should stand by her pre-referendum vow that this would be a once-in-a-generation event.

''As the Smith Commission negotiates more powers for the Scottish Parliament, we need clarity from Nicola on how the SNP intend to use the powers the Scottish Parliament has, and the new powers it is guaranteed, to tackle the rising levels of poverty and inequality being visited on the Scottish people by the Tory and SNP governments.

''Nicola Sturgeon has been in government almost 10 years and on her watch inequality has risen, 140,000 college places have been cut, and Scotland's NHS is in crisis. If Nicola's actions are to live up to her rhetoric, then we must see a radical change of tack from the SNP in Holyrood.''

Asked about Ms Sturgeon's proposal for all four members of the UK "family of nations" to be given a veto on leaving the EU, David Cameron's official spokesman told a regular Westminster media briefing: "I'm afraid the Prime Minister wouldn't accept the premise."

The spokesman added: "The people of Scotland have expressed their view through the referendum and the Prime Minister is determined that all citizens of the UK have a chance to express their view in an in/out referendum by the end of 2017 and that is what he is determined should happen."