GETTY The Dutch people are plotting a second EU referendum

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Brussels bureaucrats are facing the humiliating prospect of having to justify their flagship TTIP trans-Atlantic trade deal to the Dutch public less than a month after being sent packing over a land grab plot with Ukraine. Anger has been growing across Europe over the hated commercial stitch-up with America, which opponents say will only benefit big business and pave the way for the privatisation of public services including our NHS.

And now, much like with the Ukraine treaty, the Dutch public is leading the way in opposing a deal which has already been rubber stamped behind doors by unelected eurocrats. More than 100,000 people have signed a petition ordering the Dutch government to hold referendum on the issue in the last few days alone. If it reaches 300,000, humiliated ministers will have no choice but to prepare a public vote.

GETTY The hated TTIP treaty has provoked protests across Europe

GETTY Nigel Farage has said the Dutch show of people power will bring about the end of the EU

Such a move would be another crushing blow for the beleaguered EU, which is coming apart at the seams amid an unprecedented outburst of people power. Spurred on by new online movements pro-democracy campaigners are finally fighting back against the Brussels machine, with the historic Dutch referendum earlier this month signalling a landmark victory for freedom and the right to self-determination. Now the rebellious Dutch have TTIP - which stands for the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership - firmly in their sights. If they succeed in securing a referendum it will heap further pressure on a European elite which has so far decided to blithely ignore the democratic will of the Dutch people and press ahead with granting visa-free travel to 45 million Ukrainians regardless.

GETTY The referendum will cause a huge headache for Dutch PM Mark Rutte

More than 60% of voters rejected the land grab plot - which aimed to bring Kiev into the EU’s sphere of influence - they have been betrayed by both their own Government and the EU, which has now even gagged politicians from discussing the result for fear of fuelling the surging Brexit movement. But it is inconceivable they would be able to ignore a second angry outburst, which would also be a disaster for Brussels ahead of Britain’s referendum on whether or not to leave the EU on June 23. The referendum campaign is being spearheaded by the Dutch Socialist Party, which says TTIP will decimate public services, cost jobs and deliver a knock-out punch to European democracy. Under the controversial trans-Atlantic deal US companies will be able to sue governments whose policies cause a loss in profits, effectively meaning unelected businessmen in America can dictate the policies of democratically elected governments here.

Socialist Party spokesman Jasper Van Dijk said: “We want this to happen. We are in favour of a referendum on TTIP.” And the petitioners say: ”Large companies can sue governments in a special tribunal. Europe will have to accept the often poorer American standards for consumer protection, social rights and environmental protection. “Then we will see the introduction of US legislation in Europe without citizens or parliaments having any say over it. “The negotiations are secret. We are the people in all this. That is why we want a referendum!”

EU referendum Sat, February 20, 2016 With an in/out referendum on EU membership set for June 23 this year, we're taking an overview look of David Cameron's two-day visit at EU summit at EU headquarters in Brussels and his return to Downing Street to meet with his cabinet. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 21 British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks at Downing Street