25 October 2011 Last updated at 05:08 ET

Timeline: Campaigns for a European Union referendum

More than 80 Conservative MPs have rebelled against the government by supporting calls for a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.

It is the latest twist in a long history of campaigning for such a vote, as Gavin Stamp reports.

1970s:

The first and only referendum on the UK's relationship with Europe was held in 1975

1 January 1973: The UK joins the European Economic Community (EEC). Negotiations were conducted by Tory Prime Minister Edward Heath

1974: Labour, under leader Harold Wilson, promises a referendum on whether to remain in the EEC in the party's election manifesto

6 June 1975: The public endorse the UK's continued membership of the EEC, with 67% of people voting to stay in at a referendum

1980s:

1983: In their election manifesto, Labour pledge to begin negotiations to withdraw from the EU "within the lifetime" of the following Parliament. Labour lose the election

1989: Margaret Thatcher signals the UK will join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. She resigns 18 months later amid internal divisions over Europe and other issues

1990s:

1992: European leaders sign the Maastricht Treaty, creating the modern day European Union. The UK exits the European Exchange Rate Mechanism

1993: Tory rebels fail in campaign for a referendum on the Maastricht Treaty. Parliament approves the treaty but only after John Major is forced to call a vote of confidence in his government. Denmark and France are among countries to hold a referendum

1996: Businessman Sir James Goldsmith launches the Referendum Party to campaign for a public vote on the UK's membership of the EU. It secures 3% of the vote at the 1997 general election

1997: In their election manifesto, Labour say a yes vote in a referendum is a "pre-condition" for Britain for joining the single currency.

1999: The euro is launched. The UK opts out

2000s:

2004: Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair says a referendum will be held on ratification of the European Constitution Treaty but does not name a date for the poll

2005: Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats all promise a referendum on whether to ratify the EU Constitution in their general election manifestos. France and the Netherlands reject the proposal in referendums

The UK ratified the Lisbon Treaty without a referendum

2006: The cross-party Better Off Out Group, seeking the UK's withdrawal from the EU, is launched

2007: The European Commission proposes a replacement treaty, which comes to be known as the Lisbon Treaty. The Labour government says it is a different document, amending not overwriting existing treaties, and a referendum is not needed. Conservative leader David Cameron gives a "cast-iron guarantee" to hold a referendum on any treaty emerging from the Lisbon process if he becomes PM

2008: Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg calls for an "in-out" referendum on UK membership of the EU. MPs reject a Conservative call for a referendum on whether the Lisbon Treaty should be ratified by 63 votes. 15 Labour MPs and 14 Lib Dems rebel against their parties

2008: The UK ratifies the Lisbon Treaty. The High Court rejects calls for a judicial review of the decision by Tory MP Bill Cash and businessman Stuart Wheeler. They claim ratification without a referendum was illegal

2009: David Cameron admits he will not be able to fulfil his pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty because it has been ratified by all EU member states. But he says, if elected, no future substantial transfer of powers will take place without the approval of the British people

2010s: BATTLE REJOINED

Monday's debate follows a 100,000 strong petition being handed into Downing Street

April 2010: In their election manifesto, the Lib Dems pledge to hold an "in-out" referendum the next time there is a "fundamental change" in the EU's treaty arrangements

May 2010: A new generation of more eurosceptic Conservative MPs is elected to Parliament

February 2011: Tory MP Peter Bone fails in a bid to secure an "in-out" referendum by amending government legislation proposing a referendum in future if big changes are made to EU treaties. Mr Bone said a second referendum on UK membership should be triggered if the public initially vetoed plans to hand more powers to Brussels but his plan to change the Europe Bill is rejected

March 2011: People's Pledge campaign for a referendum is launched.

8 September 2011: A petition calling for a referendum on EU membership, signed by 100,000 people, is handed into Downing Street

12 September 2011: More than 100 Tory MPs meet to discuss how to reconfigure the UK's relationship with Europe in wake of the eurozone financial crisis

17 October 2011: Backbench business committee agrees to hold a Commons debate on EU membership following a request by Tory MP David Nuttall

24 October 2011: The motion calling for a referendum on EU membership is defeated in the Commons by 483 votes to 111. However, 81 Tory MPs support it and a further two actively abstain - making it by far the largest ever Conservative rebellion over Europe. In addition, 19 Labour MPs and one Liberal Democrat defy their party leadership in urging a referendum