David
Sumberg MEP
Date: 01/02/2008
Bolton West EU Treaty referendum proves need for national poll
North West Euro MP says a political bombshell has been dropped today, Friday February 1, after campaigners revealed that high profile Transport Minister Ruth Kelly will see a referendum on the EU Treaty take place in her seat – Bolton West.
The national cross party ‘I Want a Referendum’ (IWR) campaign, have chosen the key marginal to highlight Gordon Brown’s decision not to honour Labour’s 2005 General Election pledge to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution. Nine other constituencies will hold referendums as part of the campaign and in total half a million people will be sent ballot papers, making it the biggest vote on the future of Europe since the national referendum in 1975. Ballot papers will start landing on doorsteps in Bolton West from February 8.
“Gordon Brown and his ministers like Ms Kelly will see that they cannot break promises made to the public and get away with it,” said Mr Sumberg. “This poll gives people a voice and a chance to have their say. The Treaty transfers massive powers to Brussels and Ruth Kelly must now defend the decision to break the referendum promise. We hope as many people as possible return their postal votes – and make their voice heard.”
Mr Sumberg added: "Permanent powers of self Government should not be handed over to unelected Brussels bureaucrats without the British public’s approval. I sincerely hope this vote will pile pressure on Gordon Brown to hold the national referendum he promised."
Other seats holding referendums are: Redditch, seat of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith; Eastleigh, seat of Lib Dem leadership contender Chris Huhne, Hammersmith - seat of Andrew Slaughter, Gedling - Vernon Coaker, Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction, Somerton and Frome - David Heath, Lib Dem Shadow Justice Secretary, Conwy - Betty Williams, Pudsey - Paul Truswell, Harlow - Bill Rammell, Minister of State, Higher Education
People wanting to know more about the EU Treaty and/or register their support for a referendum can visit www.iwantareferendum.com or email: info@iwantareferendum.com
Background: the biggest vote on Europe since 1975
To carry out a professional poll IWR has commissioned Electoral Reform Services - the world's leading independent ballot administrator and independent scrutineer. The ERS plays a vital role in the leadership elections of all the major political parties, and each year provides independent balloting services for hundreds of organisations including government agencies, charities, multinational companies and trade unions. The political independence and electoral expertise of the ERS is recognised in UK parliamentary legislation and at the United Nations.
During February voters in the constituencies will receive a pack containing an information leaflet with contributions from both sides of the debate, a ballot paper, and a freepost envelope.
Voters will be asked two questions:
1. Should the United Kingdom hold a national referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty: yes or no?
2. Should the United Kingdom adopt the EU's Lisbon Treaty: yes or no?
The campaign of constituency referendums will form a backdrop to the Government's attempt to force the treaty through Parliament without a referendum. The results of the referendums will be announced before the end of February. The Commons is likely to debate an amendment calling for a referendum in the first week of March, and the Government aims to push it through both Houses of Parliament before the summer.
Background information:
The Labour Party's 2005 general election manifesto stated: “The new Constitutional Treaty ensures the new Europe can work effectively... We will put it to the British people in a referendum.”
During his campaign to become Prime Minister, Gordon Brown stressed the importance of the manifesto. He said, “The manifesto is what we put to the public. We’ve got to honour that manifesto. That is an issue of trust for me with the electorate.”
In 2005, Dutch and French voters voted down the proposed EU Constitution. However, after tow years of “reflection”, EU leaders have now brought back the Constitution, but changed the format and renamed it the “Lisbon Treaty”.
Leaders across Europe has admitted that the Lisbon Treaty is virtually the same as the rejected EU Constitution. The Spanish Prime Minister Jose Zapatero has said: “We have not let a single substantial point of the Constitutional Treaty go… It is, without a doubt, much more than a treaty. This is a project of foundational character, a treaty for a new Europe.” The author of the Constitution , Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, has admitted that the Lisbon Treaty is “98% the same” as the original proposal.
The revised EU Constitution would allow for many more decisions to be taken by the EU, rather than by our own elected politicians. Decisions as fundamental as crime, immigration, and public services like schools and hospitals, would now increasingly be taken by politicians in Brussels. The Constitution would also introduce a Foreign Minister, a President and would extend the powers of EU judges. The European Court of Justice would become the UK’s highest criminal court and would have powers to decide on important issues such as how long our most dangerous criminals should be kept in prison.