Tony Blair seems to aspire to be an EU power player; but the British public overwhelmingly wants nothing to do with the European Union and its over-inflated, bureaucrats-on-crack Constitution: Polls: Most Britons Nix EU Constitution.

LONDON - A majority of Britons would vote “no” in a referendum on a European Union constitution, seen as a political gamble for pro-European Prime Minister Tony Blair, according to polls published Sunday.

An ICM poll for The Sunday Telegraph newspaper found that the proposed EU constitution would be rejected by 68 percent of voters. Only 21 percent would back the treaty, it said.

Blair, who wants Britain to be at the heart of EU decision-making, announced the referendum Tuesday. It was a dramatic reversal by the prime minister, who for months had ignored calls by Conservatives for a vote.

The opposition claims the treaty will undermine Britain’s powers over criminal justice, tax and foreign policy.

Blair has said he hopes a referendum will foster a balanced, sensible public debate on whether Britain should integrate more closely with the EU. But the move is considered a risk that could threaten Blair’s career.