LEGISLATION to bring forward an historic public vote on Britain’s future in the UK was overwhelmingly backed in parliament this afternoon.

Worcester MP Robin Walker and Harriett Baldwin, who represents West Worcestershire, were among the 304 parliamentarians to ensure it will get a second reading.

The private members’ bill calls for the public to get a referendum by 2017, and is being widely backed within the Conservative Party.

Labour MPs had spoke out against it but none actually voted for refusal today, resulting in a raft of abstentions in the House of Commons.

Mr Walker said: “What the vote does is send a very strong message to the House of Lords on what MPs want to see happen.

“If Labour felt it was really against the public interest for a referendum, they should have voted against it and not abstained.”

Peter Luff, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, acted as a so-called ‘teller’ for the non-existent ‘no’ lobby in order to force a vote.

He said: “I strongly support the bill and wanted to make sure we had a vote so the country can see what MPs think.”

Six Labour MPs were among the 304 parliamentarians to vote for the bill, which will take it to the next stage for a further reading.

The bill has been put together by Tory MP James Wharton, one of the youngest MPs in the entire house.

There were loud cheers in the commons as the vote was read out.

Before the vote was announced, Foreign Secretary William Hague was seen in conversation with shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, while Chancellor George Osborne appeared to congratulate Mr Wharton.

The MP for Stockton South was seen to mouth "thank you" to the chancellor.