HAMPSHIRE Tory MPs turned out in force today to back a Bill requiring a referendum on Britain quitting the European Union.

All the county’s Conservatives voted for the legislation , helping it clear its first Commons hurdle by a huge margin of 304 votes to zero.

Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs abstained, but the Bill – to set in law David Cameron’s commitment to a poll before the end of 2017 – is unlikely to become law because there will not be enough parliamentary time.

In the Commons, Southampton Itchen MP John Denham was among the minority of Labour MPs who turned up to criticise the Bill.

Mr Denham pointed out that Mr Cameron had long resisted fierce pressure from within his own party to promise a referendum, before giving way in January.

He told MPs: “The prime minister has been forced by his backbenchers to come here to jump to their tune. Our prime minister, in the eyes of Europe, has been humiliated here today by his own backbenchers.

“It is not a debate about the future of our country, our influence in the world or what is best for our children – but what is best for the Conservatives, as they run away from the UK Independence Party.”

But Steve Brine, the Conservative MP for Winchester, attacked Mr Denham for branding the Bill – brought forward by a Tory backbencher – “ridiculous”.

Mr Brine said: “Will he explain why he is so sure that the people of Southampton Itchen do not want a say on our future relationship with the EU?”

Mr Brine was joined in voting for the Bill by fellow Tories Caroline Dinenage (Gosport), Mark Hoban (Fareham), George Hollingbery (Meon Valley), Julian Lewis (New Forest East), Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North), Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) and Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight).

If successful, the Bill would also lay down a strict deadline of December 31, 2016 – the time at which the next Government must set the referendum date, in the following year.