IWR in the news

22/01/08

MP supports unofficial referendums on EU treaty

Jonathan Walker,

A Birmingham MP is to hold a series of unofficial referendums on the European treaty across the country, in protest at Gordon Brown's refusal to allow a public vote.

Gisela Stuart (Lab Edgbaston) hopes to convince the Prime Minister to honour the pledge in Labour's election manifesto to let the people decide.

She has helped to organise unofficial ballots in ten marginal constituencies on the Lisbon Treaty, which will create an EU foreign affairs "representative" and a potentially powerful European president.

The House of Commons last night began a 20-day debate on whether to ratify the treaty.

Backbench Labour MPs, including Ms Stuart, Lynne Jones (Lab Selly Oak) and Mark Fisher (Lab Stoke Central) have defied the Government by proposing an amendment demanding a referendum.

They have been backed by Worcestershire MP Richard Taylor (

The MPs claim the treaty is the same as the European Constitution, which Labour promised to hold a vote on in its 2005 manifesto.

The Government insists the Constitution has been scrapped and the Lisbon Treaty is a different document, which means its pledge no longer applies. But that argument was undermined when the Labour-dominated Commons Foreign Affair's Committee concluded there was "no material difference" between the two treaties.

Committee members included Ms Stuart and Wolverhampton MP Ken Purchase (Lab Wolverhampton North East), as well as Liberal Democrat Paul Keetch (Lib Dem Hereford).

Despite the committee's findings, ministers insisted they would not allow a ballot.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said: "I don't believe this treaty meets the bar of fundamental constitutional reform that should be the basis of having a referendum."

Asked if that meant there would "never" be a referendum, he said: "On this treaty no. Absolutely not."

A cross-party pressure group called I Want a Referendum.com, of which Ms Stuart is a founder member, is to hold referendums in 10 marginal constituencies as part of a campaign to put pressure on Gordon Brown.

Voters will receive a pack containing an information leaflet with contributions from both sides of the debate, a ballot paper, and a freepost envelope for their vote.

The first confirmed constituency will be the Scottish seat of East Renfrewshire - where the incumbent MP is Europe Minister Jim Murphy.

Ms Stuart said: "We made a very clear promise of a referendum at the last election. No one really believes for a second that this is a fundamentally different document.

"We must keep our promise. These referendums will give people the chance to have the vote which the Government is trying to take away from them.

"Gordon Brown must listen."

She added: "The Foreign Affairs committee has concluded the Lisbon Treaty is the same thing as EU constitution on which Labour promised a referendum."

Dr Taylor said: "I believe my constituents support closer trading ties with Europe but are horrified by the idea of a federal , and that is the view I take."

The Lisbon Treaty contains significant reforms to the EU, including the creation of a new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security.

The treaty would also create a new President, serving for two and a half years. At the moment, leaders of member states take it in turns to hold the presidency for six months.