The original EU constitution was defeated in referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005

The survey also said that more than eight out of 10 of the public as a whole want a national vote on the so-called reforming treaty.

However, the Prime Minister will be particularly worried that 24 per cent of Labour supporters may desert him at the next General Election if the Government persists in refusing a referendum.

But the growing campaign appears to be having an effect. An ICM poll, for the Daily Mail, showed that 82 per cent of all voters, and 80 per cent of Labour supporters, want a referendum. Some 24 per cent of Labour supporters said they would be less likely to back the party in an election if they were refused a national vote.