The British people were finally denied a say on the EU constitution last night after a momentous day in the Commons.

MPs voted against holding a referendum on the biggest shift of power to Brussels for at least a decade.

This was despite pledges from both Labour and the Liberal Democrats that voters would have the chance to decide the issue.

The furious parliamentary debate on Europe plunged Nick Clegg's LibDem leadership into crisis as 13 rebels - a fifth of his entire tally of MPs - joined the Tories in calling for a national vote.

Mr Clegg, who had ordered his MPs to abstain from voting, helped rescue Gordon Brown from defeat in two crucial votes on the Lisbon Treaty.

A Tory amendment calling for a referendum was defeated by 311 votes to 248, a Government majority of 63.

Some 29 Labour MPs also rebelled against the Prime Minister.

Yesterday's Commons defeat means a vote in the House of Lords - where the Government could be defeated by Tories and crossbenchers - will be the last chance for campaigners.

That vote is due later this year.

Yesterday's result will anger the public after 88 per cent of voters in mini-polls last weekend demanded a say.

The Lisbon Treaty will see the creation of a permanent EU president, foreign minister and diplomatic service and surrenders nearly 50 national vetoes to Brussels.

All three main parties made manifesto pledges in 2005 to hold a referendum on the EU constitution - now the revamped Lisbon Treaty.

Yesterday David Cameron taunted the Prime Minister that he was afraid of holding a national vote on the treaty because he knew it would be lost.

The Tory leader told Mr Brown at Prime Minister's Questions: "All of us in this House promised a referendum. We have the courage of our convictions - you have lost your courage and that lot (the Liberal Democrats) have lost their convictions."

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