Ming says no to a referendum:
Sir Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat leader, on Tuesday took the heat off Gordon Brown over the revised European Union constitution, arguing that a referendum on the new treaty was “not necessary”.
Some Lib Dems have urged Sir Menzies to join forces with the Conservatives, some Labour backbenchers and the trade unions to create a formidable campaign for a national vote.
Lib Dem support for a poll could even have threatened Mr Brown’s Commons majority on the issue and piled on the pressure for a vote that many believe the prime minister would lose.
But Sir Menzies, a “pro-European”, told the Financial Times the new EU reform treaty was “sufficiently different” from the original constitution to avoid the need for a plebiscite. He said the only case for a public vote would be on a much broader “in or out” question about Britain’s membership of the EU, to prompt a serious national debate on Europe. (Financial Times)
A day after David Cameron says that he'll force a referendum through parliament, Ming makes his job that bit harder by backing Brown instead. Why? On this issue he is definitely opposed to public opinion, and also to that of his own party!Some Lib Dems have urged Sir Menzies to join forces with the Conservatives, some Labour backbenchers and the trade unions to create a formidable campaign for a national vote.
Lib Dem support for a poll could even have threatened Mr Brown’s Commons majority on the issue and piled on the pressure for a vote that many believe the prime minister would lose.
But Sir Menzies, a “pro-European”, told the Financial Times the new EU reform treaty was “sufficiently different” from the original constitution to avoid the need for a plebiscite. He said the only case for a public vote would be on a much broader “in or out” question about Britain’s membership of the EU, to prompt a serious national debate on Europe. (Financial Times)
The idea of a referendum is not one based along anti- or pro- EU opinions. It is based along the idea of the British people making their own decisions about the future of our country. After all, it is backed by left-wing trade unions, the Conservative Party, Labour MPs, and Lib Dems - and there are many many different views on the EU and our future within or outside it between [and within] those groups!
As I've said before, the outcome of the referendum is far less important than having it in the first place. Then, whatever the result, it is the people who have decided, not politicians in Westminster, under a Prime Minister no-one elected.
At the same time as this is happening, it is clear that the "red lines" which Labour have so constantly claimed have not been breached really have, to the extent that
British officials held emergency talks in Brussels yesterday to hammer out stronger guarantees that the new EU treaty will not give European judges the right to challenge foreign policy.
The meeting will be followed by another on the legal details today, in assign that the Government is nervous about the impact of the proposed treaty, despite repeated assurances that it will not leave diplomacy open to challenge in the European Court of Justice.
British officials hope to agree new wording by Friday to make it “crystal-clear” that the treaty, which is replacing the failed EU constitution, cannot be used in Europe’s highest court in Luxembourg by pressure groups or anyone else to challenge foreign policy decisions. (The Times)
We want, and need, a referendum on this The meeting will be followed by another on the legal details today, in assign that the Government is nervous about the impact of the proposed treaty, despite repeated assurances that it will not leave diplomacy open to challenge in the European Court of Justice.
British officials hope to agree new wording by Friday to make it “crystal-clear” that the treaty, which is replacing the failed EU constitution, cannot be used in Europe’s highest court in Luxembourg by pressure groups or anyone else to challenge foreign policy decisions. (The Times)
Sources: Financial Times, The Times
